Get to know Team Canada at the 2024 Youth Olympic Games

Get to know Canada’s mixed team competing at the 2024 Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea this Jan. 19-Feb. 1.

The two curling competitions at the Gangneung Curling Centre will feature some of the best young athletes for a spot on the podium at the Olympics-style event. The international multi-sport event provides a high level of experience on the ice, while also teaching youth about the values of fair play and embodying Olympic values with peers from around the world.

Canada’s mixed team was named last year and has been training hard since then to represent Canada with pride. Chloe Fediuk of Edmonton, Owain Fisher of North River, N.S., Nathan Gray of Dartmouth, N.S., and Allie Iskiw of Edmonton have kept busy this season through a variety of events with their respective men’s and women’s teams (including a podium finish at the World Junior B’s for Iskiw and Fediuk), along with training camp sessions as a unit.

Get to know more about the team members as they prepare for Gangwon 2024!

How does it feel to represent Canada at the Youth Olympics?

Allie Iskiw: To be selected to represent Canada at an Olympic event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that only some individuals get to experience. I am grateful to be one of these individuals. Getting the notice that I had been selected is a special moment that will stick with me for the rest of my life. I can recall the feelings of immense happiness and joy knowing that I will be wearing the Maple Leaf at the YOG- as well as so much excitement for the opportunity that lay ahead of me. I remember feeling like I was dreaming, getting emotional over the fact that I had been given the chance of a lifetime that I would never get again.

What was it like meeting your new teammates?

Nathan Gray: Meeting Owain and I’s new teammates has exceeded my expectations. Having only had a couple of conversations with them before being selected, I was wondering how everyone would work together. When we eventually played a game as a team, everything seemed to fall into place very organically. Everyone mostly knew their roles and executed them well. While there was still lots to work on, the foundation built from our experience as individuals shined through creating a fun and productive team environment. Outside of the players, we meshed with our coaches really well. They bring lots of experience and enthusiasm to the team. In addition, the families on this team have reflected the excitement of the players, and I can’t wait to see them all together in the stands.

How is training for the Youth Olympics going?

Owain Fisher: Training for the Youth Olympic Games has enabled us to make big improvements individually and, more importantly, develop as a team. When we first came together, it was clear that we had the potential to become a good, competitive team. Our training really showed us what we were already doing well and gave us lots of opportunities to improve. Having a few weeks together to practice and play games was an unforgettable learning experience. We all put our best into each and every ice time to work together towards our goal and we saw a huge amount of improvement. Our training was mostly composed of things such as technical, shot management, communication, and fun activities, and we all feel that this created a strong bond in the team.  We are all very grateful for this opportunity and the help and support from everyone so far. All of us are super pumped to start playing in South Korea, and hope to carry our success throughout the games.

What else is to come before leaving for South Korea this month?

Chloe Fediuk: As we are getting closer to leaving on January 14th, there are still things that are to be done. We have been patiently waiting for our Team Canada Lululemon gear, as well as our on-ice Canada jerseys. The four of us still have to go to school and get prepared to be away from class for two weeks. As well as getting out to practice so we all feel confident and ready to play at our best! While the days keep getting closer and the excitement grows, the nerves start to kick in as this particular event is such a special opportunity that not many people get to experience. The fact that I get to do it with such an amazing group of people is going to make the experience so much better.

Cheer on Team Canada later this month and follow along with all of the results on Curling Canada’s social media channels, and on the official event website. The mixed event runs from Jan. 20-25.