Milan: Canadian short track speed skaters William Dandjinou and Courtney Sarault have landed in Milan, posing a significant threat for medals at the upcoming Winter Olympics. Their arrival follows a series of stellar performances in the 2025-2026 International Skating Union Short Track World Tour season.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Canadian athletes remain cautious of the formidable South Korean team, which tops the all-time Olympic short track rankings with 26 gold medals. The anticipation of a challenging competition was heightened after a joint training session between the two countries at the Milano Ice Skating Arena.

"Obviously, Team Korea is a great team with great skaters and a lot of history, technically impeccable," Dandjinou remarked after a practice session. He noted the inspiration drawn from training with such skilled rivals and acknowledged the strength and confidence of the South Korean competitors.

Dandjinou's preparation has been bolstered by his recent achievements, including clinching his second consecutive Crystal Globe as the overall World Tour champion, thanks to his seven individual titles. Similarly, Sarault celebrated her first Crystal Globe after securing five individual World Tour gold medals.

Sarault's victories included three wins over South Korean rivals, notably defeating Kim Gil-li for the 1,000m and 1,500m titles during the season's first World Tour event in Montreal. Despite competitive races with South Korean skaters like Kim and Choi, Sarault expressed admiration for her rivals, describing them as "amazing competitors" and acknowledging the mutual respect between them.

The Canadians are focused on their Olympic goals, with Dandjinou affirming their ambition to secure seven medals in Milan. He emphasized the unwavering commitment to this objective, regardless of any challenges faced during training.