Canadian figure skater Keegan Messing ends retirement with eyes on Milan 2026 Olympics, reigniting competition in Canada’s men’s singles.
Veteran Skater Announces Return
Canadian figure skater Keegan Messing has officially ended his retirement, declaring his intent to compete for a spot at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy. The 33-year-old two-time Olympian surprised many last week when he revealed his comeback plans after two years away from competitive ice.
Spark Behind the Decision
Messing credits his return to an “aha moment” during the Stars on Ice holiday tour last December, when he successfully landed a challenging quad toe loop in practice. The jump, combined with a renewed passion for training, convinced him to test his limits once again. “If I’m skating this well and don’t go for this, I’ll forever wonder what could have been,” Messing said.
Where the Journey Resumes
The Kingston, Ont.-raised skater, now based in Alaska, is training at Skate Canada’s high-performance camp in Mississauga, Ontario. His competitive comeback begins in late September at a domestic event in Dallas, Texas. From there, he will need strong international results to qualify for Canada’s sole men’s singles Olympic berth.
Why the Timing Matters
Since Messing retired in 2023, Canada’s men’s singles field has lacked a dominant international presence. National champion Roman Sadovsky and rising star Stephen Gogolev have earned early-season medals, but Kurt Browning — Messing’s longtime collaborator on tour — believes the veteran saw “an opening” to step back in. His presence could also strengthen Canada’s chances in the Olympic team event.
Challenges on the Road Back
At nearly 34, Messing admits his body cannot handle the same training loads as earlier in his career. A stressed Achilles tendon is currently his biggest hurdle. “I’m not a kid anymore. My body doesn’t spring back as fast,” he said, adding that he must balance intensity with recovery to sustain his bid.
How Fans Can Expect Him to Perform
Known as one of figure skating’s great entertainers, Messing plans to bring flair to his programs, incorporating backflips — now permitted in competition — into routines set to Corey Taylor’s On the Dark Side and Tophouse’s The Mountain Song. Browning, who has toured extensively with Messing, said his determination is no surprise: “That’s Keegan. He never stopped testing his limits.”
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