Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Alberta will have a significant presence on the world stage next year, with 45 athletes from the province selected to compete for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Milano-Cortina, Italy.
The athletes, drawn from communities across Alberta, will take part in a wide range of disciplines, reflecting the province’s depth in winter sport. Their selection highlights years of training, persistence and support from provincial programs designed to help high-performance athletes compete internationally.
Tourism and Sport Minister Andrew Boitchenko said the athletes embody Alberta’s strong sporting culture and commitment to excellence. He noted that their journey to the Winter Games serves as motivation for young athletes across the province and a point of pride for Albertans.
The provincial government has emphasized its role in supporting elite athletes through targeted funding and infrastructure investment. One of the key initiatives is Podium Alberta, a grant program that provides financial assistance to Alberta-based high-performance athletes to offset costs related to training, travel, equipment and coaching. The program distributes $750,000 annually and supported 240 athletes across 40 sports in 2025 alone.
Several athletes credited the program for helping them remain focused on performance rather than financial pressures. Men’s curling team member Marc Kennedy said representing both his hometown of St. Albert and Alberta on the Olympic stage is a source of deep pride, adding that provincial support has been central to his career.
Beyond direct athlete funding, Alberta has invested heavily in high-performance training facilities. The Canmore Nordic Centre, a hub for winter sport athletes, has benefited from a $27.1 million provincial investment aimed at expanding and modernizing the venue. The centre’s trails, biathlon range and dependable winter conditions have made it a key training base for Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Para Nordic skier Mark Arendz, preparing for his fifth Paralympic Winter Games, said access to world-class facilities and athlete support programs in Alberta has been crucial to maintaining consistency at the highest level of competition.
Freestyle skier Dylan Marineau and Para Nordic athlete Derek Zaplotinsky also highlighted the importance of provincial backing, noting that support from Alberta has helped turn long-held ambitions into reality.
The Olympic Winter Games will run from February 6 to 22, 2026, followed by the Paralympic Games from March 6 to 15. Alberta-based athletes will compete in events including alpine skiing, curling, freestyle skiing, hockey and luge.
Albertans will be able to follow the action at venues across the province, with participating restaurants, bars and pubs permitted extended liquor service during medal events, in accordance with provincial regulations.
