Ice dancers Gilles and Poirier skating towards gold
Posted February 11, 2022 12:54 pm.
Last Updated February 11, 2022 1:26 pm.
Figure skating duo Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are just one of three couples competing for Canada in ice dance and they are hopeful to bring home a medal.
It will be Gilles’ second time competing in the Winter Olympics, Poirier’s third and their second as a pair. In PyeongChang, they placed eighth.
The duo recently won bronze at the 2021 World Championships and are leading the group of new faces for Canada in ice dancing since the retirement of two-time Olympic gold medallists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir.
Gilles and Poirier say training for this Olympics has been a lot different than the last as it’s been difficult to get to qualify during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It does mean a lot more because it’s been very difficult the last two years to stay focused on the goal and that was the Olympic Games, and we’re pushing for a medal position,” said Gilles. She said being at the Games makes “all those tears and uncertainty worth it.”
They have had to live in an extreme bubble over the last 20 months to avoid getting COVID.
“We’re going to the rink, we’re training, we’re getting physio or going to the gym and that’s pretty much it. It’s been a very quiet time, which in a way is nice because it really allows us to focus and minimize distractions,” said Poirier.
No distractions has been nice, but they say it is a double-edged sword.
“It can get really overwhelming [before the Olympics], just the amount of the amount of support and the amount of people reaching out. So in a way, it’s been a little bit nice to have these constraints and to just really focus on what we need to do,” added Poirier. “On the other hand, it is a little bit sad that we don’t get to be with people and see the people we love.”
They both agreed having the support of everyone in Canada and their friends and family is amazing.
“I think the Olympics is funny, it’s that one time every four years where everyone comes out of the woodworks and they’re so excited about what you’re doing. And they want to be involved and they want to cheer you on. And they want you to feel supported, it’s really great.”
Gilles and Poirier have already competed in the team event in which Canada placed fourth.
However, the gold medal winners, Russia, have been embroiled in controversy over reports 15-year-old skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance. The medal ceremony has yet to be held and if Russia is forced to forfeit their team event medals, Canada could be bumped up to bronze.
Gilles and Poirier will skate in the pairs ice dance competition beginning at 6 a.m. Saturday morning with rhythm dance. The free dance final will be held at 8:15 p.m. on Sunday.
With no fans allowed to attend the Games, Cheerios is once again helping fans send hundreds of virtual messages of support to the athletes.
Gilles said it’s a great initiative because they were kids once too and watching the Olympics, seeing their heroes compete had a huge impact on them, knowing they could make their dream come true if they worked hard enough.
She added hearing those message, “makes you remember why you started.”
“Having these people and friends and family even being involved because they aren’t there. It makes your heart happy. And it makes you feel like you’re a part of something so much bigger than just skating.”
