The Current Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier’s “starry, starry” Olympic win
Feb 16, 2026
Paul Poirier, Canadian ice dancer and Olympic bronze medallist, reflects on performance and touring with the medal. Piper Gilles, Canadian ice dancer and Olympic bronze medallist, shares the emotional ‘pinch me’ moment and gratitude. Jennifer Heil, Olympic champion and Team Canada Chef de Mission, discusses team morale, funding strains and officiating controversies. Short takes on preparation, calm under pressure and homecoming plans.
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Preparation Beats Blaming Luck
- Jennifer Heil emphasizes that performance and preparation matter more than 'luck' at the Olympics.
- She argues Team Canada should focus on performance systems, not just medal counts.
Funding Has Fallen, Performance Persists
- Jennifer Heil explains Canada has 30% less funding for sport operations than in 2004.
- Despite funding cuts, she notes Canadian athletes keep punching above their weight.
Control What You Can Before Competing
- Do everything in your control before competition to avoid regrets and enable peak performance.
- Train resiliency so you can recover and perform after setbacks, as Jennifer Heil illustrates.