THE NETWORK BEHIND THE NATION:
COPSIN AT MILANO CORTINA 2026 OLYMPICS

A key partner of Team Canada 2026, the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Sport Institute Network (COPSIN) plays an essential role in supporting Canadian athletes competing at the Milano Cortina 2026. Through its network of five institutes and two centres covering every region of the country, COPSIN provides invaluable sport science, sport medicine, and pathway support to 172 of the 206 (84%) athletes in the Team Canada squad both on and off the field of play.

Of the 172 athletes supported by COPSIN, 75 of them (36% of Team Canada’s total) receive services from more than one member of the Network, illustrating the synergy and alignment of the expertise available. This collaborative approach allows members of the Network to maximize resources and offer customized support, responding to the specific needs of each athlete.

When excluding the NHL players at the Games, the percentage of Team Canada athletes supported by COPSIN goes up to 94%.

COPSIN’s contribution in supporting Team Canada athletes for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games reflects its ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence. By providing world-class performance services and conducting applied sport science research projects, COPSIN makes a significant contribution to Canada’s performance goals on the international sport stage.

Twenty COPSIN Experts on the Front Line

COPSIN’s commitment extends beyond preparation. During the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, 20 COPSIN experts will be deployed on the front line to provide direct support and follow-up for athletes and teams, or as part of the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Mission Staff.  This field support ensures that Team Canada athletes benefit from state-of-the-art technical and scientific knowledge throughout their stay in the heart of the Italian Alps.

A Long-Term Commitment to Athlete Development

COPSIN serves as a home base for Canadian athletes, providing consistent support throughout key stages of their long-term development. Many athletes have been part of the COPSIN for years, benefiting from tailored services and expertise well before Milano Cortina 2026. This deep, ongoing engagement underscores COPSIN’s crucial role in nurturing talent and preparing athletes for peak performance on the global stage.

A Strategic Partnership for Performance

COPSIN plays a key role in Canada’s high-performance sport system. By working closely with National Sport Organizations, Network members ensure a cohesive, integrated approach to athlete development and the promotion of sporting excellence in Canada. Through its actions, the Network demonstrates the importance of collaboration and multidisciplinary expertise in supporting high-performance athletes and those of the next generation on their path to excellence.

COPSIN’s Contribution by the Numbers

• Milano Cortina 2026 Olympians Supported by COPSIN
  • Affiliated athletes: 172 (84%)
  • Athletes supported by more than one COPSIN member: 75
• COPSIN Experts at Milano Cortina 2026
  • Total: 20
  • CSI Pacific:
    • Steph Joels – Physiotherapy (Luge)
    • Alex Hodgins – Mental Performance (Ski Cross)
  • CSI Alberta
    • Jeremiah Barnert – Strength & Conditioning (Ski Cross)
    • Dr. Brian Benson – Chief Medical Officer (Team Canada)
    • Drew Lawson – Strength & Conditioning (Freestyle Ski)
    • Miriam Lewis – Physiotherapy (Long Track Speed Skating)
    • Scott Maw – IST Lead (Long Track Speed Skating)
    • Tim Neenan – Strength & Conditioning (Luge)
    • Dave Paskevich – Mental Performance Coach (Long Track Speed Skating)
    • Jodi Perras – Massage Therapist (Cross Country Ski)
    • Kim Richardson – Physiotherapy (Curling)
    • Dr. Elana Taub – Sport Medicine
    • Amy Van Buskirk – MT Family & Friends Officer (Team Canada)
  • CSC Saskatchewan
    • Lisa Hoffart – Mental Health Lead
  • INS Québec
    • Martin Fréchette – Sport Nutrition (Team Canada)
    • Genevieve Houle – (COC Mission Staff)
    • Antoine Léger – Physiotherapy (Short Track Speed Skating)
    • Dr. Gabrielle Ostiguy – Sport Medicine (Short Track Speed Skating)
    • Kevin Roux – Physical Trainer (Short Track Speed Skating)
    • Evelyne Telmosse – Sport Nutrition (Team Canada)

About the WE CAN Campaign Milano Cortina 2026

WE CAN (OUI CAN) is a campaign from COPSIN that emphasizes possibility, unity, determination and national pride for Canadian athletes competing at the Olympics and Paralympics.

The Milano Cortina 2026 Games campaign kept the popular OUI CAN wording from Paris 2024, meaning the 2026 campaign branding is now WE CAN/OUI CAN. The logo is the “Snowflake Maple Leaf”, a snowflake shape for the Winter Games, with the Canadian maple leaf blending in as part of the design, while the wording “Forza Canada” (“Go Canada!”) has been added in, to illustrate the Games taking place in Italy.