TORONTO — The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Luge Canada will announce the athletes nominated to represent Team Canada in luge at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games during a virtual media availability on Sunday, Jan. 25.
The announcement, scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. MT), will provide media with an opportunity to hear directly from the nominated athletes and key members of Canada’s Olympic leadership team as preparations continue for the next Winter Games.
The session will be held via Zoom, allowing reporters across the country to participate remotely. Organizers said the event is intended to support interview access ahead of the Games and offer insight into Team Canada’s luge program as it finalizes its roster for Milano Cortina.
According to the advisory, the virtual availability will include Team Canada’s Milano Cortina 2026 luge athletes, along with Sam Edney, who will serve as Luge Team Leader and High Performance Director, and Jennifer Heil, who has been appointed Team Canada’s Milano Cortina 2026 Chef de Mission.
The nomination announcement comes as national sport organizations and the COC move into a more active phase of Olympic planning, including athlete selection, logistical preparation and performance support. While the advisory did not provide the number of athletes expected to be nominated, the event is positioned as an official opportunity for media to engage with the team following the selection decision.
Luge is one of several high-speed sliding sports that typically draws strong Canadian interest during Winter Olympic coverage, particularly due to the technical demands of the sport and the international competitiveness of the field. Athlete nominations for Olympic teams are closely watched by sponsors, sport partners and national sport organizations, as they signal where resources and high-performance focus will be concentrated in the lead-up to the Games.
For Canadian businesses and organizations connected to sport — including sponsors, event partners and high-performance service providers — Olympic team announcements can also mark a key milestone in marketing and community engagement planning. Athlete visibility tends to increase significantly following nominations, often resulting in additional media requests, promotional activity and public appearances.
Media are invited to attend the virtual session for interview opportunities. The COC and Luge Canada requested that media RSVP in advance by contacting both Chris Dornan ([email protected]) and Tara MacBournie ([email protected]).
The media availability will take place on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. ET via Zoom. The link provided in the advisory is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84018341138.
Organizers did not specify how long the session will run or whether interviews will be conducted in a group format or through individual breakout opportunities. Media attending the call may wish to join early to confirm connectivity and receive any last-minute instructions on interview order or access.
The announcement will feature Sam Edney in his role as Luge Team Leader and High Performance Director. Edney is expected to provide performance and program context around the nomination process and Canada’s competitive outlook in luge heading into Milano Cortina.
Also participating will be Jennifer Heil, Team Canada’s Milano Cortina 2026 Chef de Mission, who will represent the broader Canadian Olympic leadership team and support the athletes as they prepare for the Games. The Chef de Mission typically plays a key role in athlete support, team operations and serving as a central spokesperson for Team Canada throughout the Olympic cycle.
The COC and Luge Canada said the purpose of the event is to formally introduce the nominated luge athletes and provide media with access for interviews following the nomination announcement.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games are expected to draw significant international attention and economic activity, including tourism, sponsorship activation and broadcasting audiences. For Canada’s winter sport system, Olympic nominations are a key step in defining the country’s competitive teams and building momentum toward the Games.
Further details on the nominated athletes are expected to be shared during the Jan. 25 announcement.
