MILAN, Italy — As the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Games reach their midpoint, Laval’s Steven Dubois remains a central figure in Canada’s quest for short-track dominance, navigating a week defined by both podium success and frustrating technical challenges.
Dubois, the 26-year-old four-time World Champion, added to his career Olympic haul on 10 February 2026, earning a silver medal in the mixed team relay. While Dubois skated in the earlier qualifying rounds to help secure Canada’s spot in the final, the achievement marks his fourth career Olympic medal, following his breakout three-medal performance at Beijing 2022.
Ice Conditions Spark Controversy
Despite the relay success, Dubois has been vocal regarding the “unacceptable” state of the ice at the Mediolanum Forum. The Canadian star, who entered the Games as a heavy favourite in the individual sprints, suffered a shocking exit in the 1,000-metre heats after losing his edge and crashing.
“It’s probably the worst ice of the year,” Dubois told reporters following the incident. “It’s soft and unpredictable. When you’re pushing the limits of speed like we do, you need to trust the surface, and right now, that trust isn’t there.”
The Road Ahead: 1,500m and Men’s Relay
As of 14 February 2026, the focus shifts to the endurance and tactical battles of the 1,500-metre event. Dubois, the reigning Olympic silver medallist in this distance, is set to compete alongside teammates William Dandjinou and Félix Roussel. The trio represents one of the most formidable depth charts in the world, with Dandjinou already showing strong form in Milan.
Dubois’s current Olympic resume includes:
- Gold: 5,000m Relay (Beijing 2022)
- Silver: 1,500m (Beijing 2022)
- Silver: Mixed Team Relay (Milano-Cortina 2026)
- Bronze: 500m (Beijing 2022)
With the men’s 5,000m relay and individual 500m events still on the horizon, Dubois remains a primary threat to add to Canada’s medal count, provided he can master the temperamental Italian ice. Lead coaches have indicated that the team is adjusting their blade setups to better handle the softer conditions for the final week of competition.