Two current McMaster students and one engineering alumnus are competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics as the McMaster community cheers on Team Canada.

The Olympics, being held in Italy from Feb. 6 to 22, have already generated lots of excitement, with figure skater Madeline Schizas, a fifth-year environment and society student, being the only Canadian competing in the iconic single women’s competition. Schizas competed in the Beijing Games in 2022, where she helped Canada to a fourth-place finish in the team event.

Fellow student Trennt Michaud will make his Olympic debut in pairs figure skating with skating partner Lia Pereira. Michaud, a part-time Social Sciences student, has been skating pairs with Pereira since 2022.

Figure skating isn’t the only sport featuring an athlete from McMaster. Mark Zanette, a mechanical engineering graduate and former McMaster varsity baseball player, will compete in the Games as part of the four-man bobsled team. Zanette graduated in 2023 and joined Team Canada in 2024.

McMaster grad: Canada’s Secretary of State for Sport

Others in the McMaster community will be at the Winter Olympics to cheer on Team Canada. Four-time Olympic medallist Adam van Koeverden, a 2007 McMaster graduate, is a champion kayaker and one of Canada’s most celebrated athletes. The Member of Parliament for Milton is heading to the Milano Cortina Games as Canada’s Secretary of State for Sport.

Mac grad Mackenzie Barwell will also be at the Games as a digital host for CBC’s Winter Olympic coverage. While at McMaster, Barwell showcased her skills as a reporter and digital host for McMaster Athletics.

Jesse Lumsden, a McMaster Athletics Hall of Famer and former Marauders varsity football player, is a three-time Olympian bobsledder. He was recently appointed high performance director of Bobsleigh Skeleton Canada.

Expert Olympic commentary

While they may not be in Italy, McMaster researchers are sharing insights on a wide range of topics, including athletic performance, economic impact and the political backdrop shaping this year’s Games.

Colin Mang, assistant professor of Economics, shares the economic impact of the Games on local economies and the longer term positive and negative economic legacies.

Stuart Phillips, chair of the Department of Kinesiology, is an expert on the use of steroids,  strength training, athletic performance and exercise physiology.

Find out more about McMaster’s Olympic experts here.

While the schedule can change, keep track of the figure skating and bobsled events here so you can cheer on Team Mac.