Deanna Stellato-Dudek injured pre-Olympics - news & updates

[Sylvia]

I thought this horrible news needed its own thread (first reported in the Canadian Pairs news thread) :

https://twitter.com/x/status/2018391767427551579

Feb. 2nd statement: https://olympic.ca/press/team-canada-update/

"Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps will not be competing in the figure skating team event due to an injury sustained by Stellato-Dudek that occurred during training in Quebec.

Stellato-Dudek’s condition and readiness for the individual pairs event is being assessed on a day-by-day basis. Athlete health and safety is our number one priority. We will share more information as it becomes available."

https://x.com/Devin_Heroux/status/2018392902905299345

At 42 years old Deanna Stellato-Dudek had worked extremely hard to prepare for the Olympics
And she was on track to make her debut in Milan with partner Max Deschamps
Injured during a training session. Out of team event. And now questionable for their Pairs event at the Olympics

Pairs SP is on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

 

[Finnice]

Oh no! So sorry for them.

 

[Karen-W]

Pairs SP is on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

Pairs SP draw is Friday, Feb 13th, so that's the last possible day for the 1st alternates (Laurin/Ethier) to be swapped in should Deanna's injury make it impossible for them to compete.

 

[CarolineBingley]

..... I hope it's something she can overcome quickly at least for the Pairs event itself.

 

[Hedwig]

oh no, I am so sorry for them. How devastating.

 

[Spiralgraph]

Oh no.. poor Deanna and Max.

 

[peibeck]

I'm glad they are being wise and making sure her health is the priority even though this is a devastating development. So many skaters try and press through injuries and risk or actually end up making things worse.

 

[skatfan]

Crap. What an awful turn of events. At least Canada wasn't a favorite for a team medal, but still...

Hope she can recover in time.

 

[Desperado]

That’s heartbreaking.

It feels like they’re hoping against hope here, but I’ll still cross my fingers that they make it.

 

[Lanie]

I am so upset for Deanna and Max. I hope she is okay.

 

[Firedancer]

I’m so sad for them. I hope she is ok

 

[overedge]

This is really sad
Although I'm wondering if she was, or both of them were, dealing with some kind of injury already, given their LP performance at Canadians.

 

[honey]

This is really sad
Although I'm wondering if she was, or both of them were, dealing with some kind of injury already, given their LP performance at Canadians.

It really sounds like this happened very recently. Devin Heroux just tweeted that it happened during one of their last practices before they were to leave.

That said, I also think there were likely some underlying issues all season. But nothing as serious as whatever this is clearly.

There would seem like it would be a narrow list of things that would make someone a no go to skate 5 days from now and still have it be possible to skate in 13 days from now. Hoping for them that they can make it, but it seems very questionable to me. And it’s heartbreaking for them both.

 

[skategal]

I'm a little hopeful as if it was something like breaking a leg/foot/arm or ACL/Meniscus/Achilles tear, they would have to announce a withdrawal now.

Soft tissue injuries/bruises/strains/concussion (my guess is concussion) can improve alot in two weeks.

Maybe I'm delusional....but I'm crossing my fingers and toes.

The alternative is too heartbreaking to think about right now.

Gutted for Deanna and Max.

 

[kwanette]

I am so sad for them.

 

[Miezekatze]

Oh no!

 

[Lara]

Gutted for them.