Canadian athletes received a warm welcome returning home today, with crowds waiting at Pearson Airport to cheer them on.

Canada’s Olympic athletes began arriving home Monday greeted by friends, family and fans as they returned from the Milan Cortina Games.

About a dozen supporters were at Toronto Pearson airport. Some waved Canadian flags while others took selfies with athletes and asked for autographs.

Speaking on a red carpet, Brett Gallant, who won a gold medal in curling as part of Brad Jacobs’ Calgary-based rink, said he was glad being back after a month.

“I just feel kind of some of the Canadian pride, some of the excitement that we have been feeling from afar, but now to be home — it’s great,” he told reporters.

He said it felt “pretty exciting” when Canada got momentum towards the end of the Olympics.

“When there was the curling medal round and then the women’s and men’s hockey medal rounds, as Canadians we were pretty excited to watch most of that,” Gallant said.

“The international curling field has gotten stronger and stronger over the last decade. So it is tougher now … we are pretty proud of what we accomplished.”

Canadian curler Brett Gallant Canadian curler Brett Gallant shows his 2026 Olympic gold medal as he takes pictures with curling fan Cheryl Crawford at Pearson Airport in Toronto, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

The twin flames in co-host cities Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo were extinguished Sunday during a closing ceremony inside the ancient Verona Arena.

The Canadian Olympic Committee said approximately 90 of Canada’s 207 athletes in Milan Cortina marched in the ceremony.

There was some disappointment for Canada on the final day of competition, as the men’s hockey team had to settle for silver after losing 2-1 to the United States in the gold medal game.

Canada ended the Games with 21 medals, including five gold.

Cynthia Appiah, a member of Canada’s bobsleigh team, said even though they’re training consistently, it’s hard to compete on the international stage due to lack of investment and equipment.

“We haven’t had an investment in our program in four years, and we haven’t had any investment in our sled technology in six years.

“When you’re comparing that to the Americans and the Germans, who get basically sleds every year or every two years, it is really hard to be competitive,” she said,

Canadian Olympic bobsleigh athletes Canadian Olympic bobsleigh athletes Keaton Bruggeling, left to right, Cynthia Appiah and Shaquille Murray-Lawrence speak to media at Pearson Airport in Toronto, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan

Speedskaters Valérie Maltais and Steven Dubois were flag-bearers for Team Canada for Sunday’s ceremony.

“Could not be more proud of you, @TeamCanada,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said on social media on Sunday.

“You’re coming home with 21 hard-fought Olympic medals. Though what Canadians will remember most is how you wore the Maple Leaf: with pride, with grit and with determination.”

Canadians had eight medals and no gold at the halfway mark and rebounded with 13 in the second half, beginning with freestyle skier Mikael Kingsbury’s dual moguls victory.

The other Canadian gold medallists were the men’s curling team, Megan Oldham in freeski big air, Dubois in the 500-metre short-track, and Maltais, Isabelle Weidemann and Ivanie Blondin in long-track team pursuit.

Speed skaters Valerie Maltais and David La Rue Canadian speed skaters Valérie Maltais and David La Rue greet fans and family after arriving at the Trudeau Airport in Montreal, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 23. 2026.

— With files from Sharif Hassan in Toronto

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press