Notable quotes from the Milan Cortina Olympics: Feb. 20, 2026

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This article was published 20/02/2026 (207 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MILAN – Here are some notable quotes from the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 20, 2026:

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“I am happy with how I’ve skated but I’ve had some disappointments a few times… For our team, I think we are all pretty disappointed. I’ve had my good moments, I am going to remember them… I guess we will try to enjoy it.” 

— Canadian short track speedskater Steven Dubois on a Winter Games where he won gold but also took part in some disappointing finishes including Friday’s fourth-place result in the men’s 5,000-metre relay.

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“This sport sometimes, it takes a lot and it can give a lot. Today, it took. That’s the crazy part of this sport and I guess you’ve got to love it if you’re a short track speed skater. You never take anything for granted.” 

— Canadian short track speedskater Courtney Sarault on falling during the women’s 1,500-metre semifinals in her bid for a fifth medal at Milan-Cortina.

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“It was tough. We gave them a face-off goal then we gave them a shorty (short-handed). We gave them two freebies and against Finland you can’t give those up as it’s so hard to score against them. We got a big first goal so we could take a breath, we were only down one. We only gave up two or three shots in the period.

“I thought that if we got the next one I’d like our chances. Pretty exciting game but they’ve given their coach heart palpitations.”

— Canada men’s hockey coach Jon Cooper on the team’s 3-2 win over Finland in the semifinal.

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“Never talking necessarily in terms of podium, but just being proud of my race. The podium is just (the) cherry on top. It’s something that I was not expecting. This is a great surprise,  it’s also my first ever 1500-metre medal. And the first time doing it at the Olympics.”

— Canadian long-track speedskater Valérie Maltais on winning bronze in the women’s 1,500-metre final, her third medal of the Games.

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“I came into the Games and this competition season with a really good headspace. I was really trying not to put pressure on myself and I just wanted to go out there and perform to the best of my abilities and land the run I did as well as I could do it. 

“I had no idea if it would be enough for podium, and I was just really trying to look inwards and focus on myself.”

— Canadian freestyle skier Brendan Mackay after winning bronze at the halfpipe final.

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“We’re just going to go to school tomorrow, try and nail every shot and fight hard for our country.”

— Canadian women’s curling team skip Rachel Homan, on playing for bronze after losing a semifinal against Sweden by a 6-3 score.

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“This sport is sometimes so fickle, anyone can win on any given day, and that’s what is so amazing about it, but sometimes it hurts a little bit.”

— Canadian ski cross athlete Marielle Thompson, who was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the women’s event.

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“The Olympics have been something I dreamed about as a kid, and I’ve been able to go three times now. I finally got to come here healthy and my body is in one piece. So I’ve got to say that it’s the best show on earth, and I’m happy I got to be a part of it.”

— Canadian aerials skier Lewis Irving, who finished seventh in the men’s individual event and missed the super final by one spot.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 20, 2026.