Canadian sensation Steven Dubois had pretty much done it all in Short Track during his career: World Championship titles, World Tour glory and an Olympic gold medal as part of Canada’s Men’s 5000m Relay team at Beijing 2022.

Missing from his résumé, however, was an individual gold medal on the biggest stage of all.

At Milano Cortina 2026, his mission was to change that, especially in his favorite distance, the 500m.

The Quebec rocket would do it in style, winning a stacked A Final to add the Olympic title to his World Championship crown in the sprint. But it didn’t come easily…

 Steven Dubois celebrates after competing for gold in the short track speed skating men's 500m final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy. © Getty Images

Quiet season in the run-up to the Olympic Games

Dubois had not enjoyed his finest season in the lead-up to the showdown in Italy. He found himself uncharacteristically struggling in the 500m for much of the 2025/26 campaign, with his compatriot William Dandjinou and Italy’s talented Pietro Sighel often outshining him.

But Dubois kept training relentlessly, practicing how to take risks and identify the right moment to make his move in crucial races.

He may not have been the favorite when he arrived in northern Italy, but everyone on the ice knew that Dubois, who had won the 500m world title the previous season, was always a threat over the distance.

Working through the rounds

Dubois coasted through his heat before seeing off a tricky line-up of Teun Boer (NED), Denis Nikisha (KAZ) and Andrew Heo (USA) in the quarter-final.

Dubois then lined up against the powerful Boer and Nikisha once again in the semi-final, alongside Jens van ’t Wout.

The Dutch racer, more confident than ever and chasing an incredible hat-trick of gold medals at the Games, won the race. Dubois, however, tucked in neatly behind him to secure his place in the A Final.

The battle with Van ’t Wout made one thing clear: if Dubois was to win gold, he would have to take the race to the Dutch sensation from the start.

Dominating the final

At his best, Dubois does what all great Short Track sprinters do: he hits the first corner in front and never lets go.

That was his strategy in the final, and he executed it to perfection. His lines were smooth, his corners tight and his speed absolutely maxed out.

Dutch brothers Jens and Melle van ’t Wout tried to catch him, with Melle closing strongly on the final lap, but the Canadian’s fitness and race savvy paid off. He held off the elder Van ’t Wout brother to finish 0.077 seconds ahead.

Behind them, Dandjinou, arguably the pre-race favorite, collided with Boer. Dandjinou received a penalty, while the incident ended both skaters’ medal hopes.

The Van ’t Wouts were delighted to share the podium. Jens would later say that his bronze medal meant as much to him as the 1000m and 1500m golds he had captured earlier in the Games. But it was the lavishly bearded Canadian who wore the widest grin.

(Left to right) Melle van 't Wout, Steven Dubois and Jens van 't Wout pose at the podium of the short track speed skating men's 500m final at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy. © Getty Images

Dubois ends Canada’s Short Track gold drought

It was Canada’s only Short Track gold medal at Milano Cortina 2026 and the nation’s first Olympic title in the men’s 500m since Charles Hamelin triumphed on home ice at Vancouver 2010.

“It’s pretty special,” Dubois said. “It [the gold medal] was the only one I was missing really, and I wanted it pretty bad. It feels nice to actually get a grasp on the gold and beat these guys here that are super strong.

“I am really conscious of my strengths and weaknesses, and I knew the only way to beat Jens was to do a little bit of a controlled start. I took my shot and it paid off. It means a lot to me, and to Canadian Short Track.”

His dream season was not over yet. Later that spring, Dubois retained his 500m title at the World Championships.

Will the 29-year-old continue for another four years and attempt to defend his Olympic title at Alpes 2030? He has not decided yet, but don’t rule it out.

Whatever he decides, history will remember him as one of the fastest men on ice.

You may also like
Olympic Lookback: Sighel Skates Backwards Over Line to Clinch Short Track Mixed Relay Gold for Italy

Olympic Lookback: Kim Gilli's Double Olympic Gold at Milano Cortina 2026