Jennifer Heil named Canada’s Chef de Mission for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
Heil won two Olympic medals in her career, including gold in Italy in 2006.
Olympic champion Jennifer Heil will be Team Canada’s Chef de Mission for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the Canadian Olympic Committee announced on Tuesday.
The 41-year-old from Spruce Grove, Alberta competed at three Olympics in the sport of moguls, making her debut at Salt Lake City 2002 as an 18-year-old and finishing fourth — one-hundredth of a point off the bronze medal. Four years later she topped the podium, winning Canada’s first Olympic gold medal in any women’s freestyle skiing event, before adding a silver medal on home soil at Vancouver 2010. In both 2006 and 2010, Heil was the first Canadian athlete to reach the podium.
Now, 20 years after her victory in Italy, she will return to the nation as the official team leader and spokesperson for Team Canada.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to be entrusted with this honour. The Olympics are about grit, heart, and redefining what’s possible—not just for medals, but for opening doors for future generations in sport and beyond,” said Heil in a press release.
“Now, more than ever, I feel immense pride in being Canadian. We rise to challenges, push boundaries and lead by example. I can’t wait to champion our athletes on the road to Milano Cortina 2026 and share their stories with Canada and the world.”
In addition to her Olympic success, Heil had a standout career on the World Cup circuit, reaching the podium 58 times in ten years, including 25 victories. She won four world championship gold medals in her career as well as a pair of silver medals — with three of those golds coming in dual moguls.
Fittingly, dual moguls will make its long-awaited Olympic debut in 2026, with Canada expected to challenge for the podium.
Towards the end of her career, and since retiring as a double world champion in 2011, Heil has continued to contribute to the sporting community. While skiing still she co-founded B2ten, a program that helps Canadian athletes get the resources they need to train and compete at the best of their abilities.
Heil also led the design and development of British Columbia’s Safe Sport program, as well as health and public safety policy, and most recently became the founder and CEO of RYA, a women’s healthtech start-up.
Because of her longtime commitments to Canadian sport, Heil is a recipient of the Canadian Order of Sport, the Meritorious Service Decorations awarded by the Governor General of Canada, and the AthletesCAN Leadership Award. In 2011 she won the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as The Canadian Press female athlete of the year.
“A trailblazer both on and off the snow, Jennifer has not only broken barriers but has found ways to do so while lifting up others and giving back to her community,” said COC president Tricia Smith in a press release. “Jennifer truly understands what it means to wear the maple leaf and to live the Olympic values every day. We are extremely fortunate and excited that she will be our Chef for Milano Cortina 2026.”
“Some leaders are chosen for their experience, others for their heart. Jenn brings both to this role as our Chef de Mission,” added Eric Myles, the COC’s Chief Sport Officer. “She will be a perfect mentor for Canadian athletes who will benefit greatly from all that she learned from her own inspiring journey. It’s also fitting that Jenn is Canada’s Chef in the return of the Winter Games to Italy, exactly 20 years from when she won gold at Turin 2006.”
The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22, and include 116 medal events across 16 sports. Team announcements will be made closer to the Games, with months left for most athletes to qualify and cement their spot.
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