Canada’s two-time Olympic figure skater Keegan Messing has come out of retirement with the aim of competing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games.
“During the Stars On Ice tour I realised I was skating at a high level again and that sparked my decision to return,” Messing said on Tuesday (20 August) via Skate Canada.
“I’ve put in the work, regained my jumps and rediscovered the fire within myself to train.
“My focus now is to be stronger than when I retired and to secure a spot on the Olympic team.”
A fan favourite around the world, Messing retired in May 2023 having skated at the 2018 and 2022 Olympic Winter Games, where he finished 12th and 11th, respectively.
Messing will be 34 when Milan Cortina rolls around. He will reunite with his old coach Ralph Burghart as he reboots for the fast-approaching Olympic campaign.
Messing’s first competition back remains to be seen. He will attend Skate Canada’s High Performance Camp later this month when he will be assessed for domestic qualifying events and international assignments.