Two-time national champion Keegan Messing is staging a comeback in competitive figure skating, aiming to represent Canada at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. The 33-year-old Canadian-American athlete retired in May 2023 after participating in the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics for Canada. Despite his retirement, Messing, a five-time national medallist, continued performing in professional shows, reigniting his passion for competition.
In a recent statement, Messing expressed his renewed motivation to compete, attributing it to his performances during the Stars On Ice tour where he realized his skating abilities were at a high level again. He stated, “I have dedicated myself to training, regained my jumping skills, and reignited my competitive spirit. My primary goal is to surpass my previous strength levels and secure a spot on the Olympic team.”
Originally from Girdwood, Alaska, Messing is currently training in Anchorage under the guidance of his long-time coach, Ralph Burghart, gearing up for the 2025-26 Olympic season. He is scheduled to participate in Skate Canada’s annual High Performance Camp in Mississauga, Ont., this month for evaluations ahead of domestic qualifying events and potential international assignments.