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The Canadian snowboard team suffered another blow to its overall medal chances as Victoria native Meryeta O’Dine will miss the Milano-Cortina Olympics with a fracture to an ankle bone, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canada Snowboard announced on Saturday.
O’Dine, 28, fell during a snowboard cross training session and was evaluated by both COC and Canada Snowboard medical teams.
Medical imaging confirmed the fracture, which will force O’Dine to miss the rest of the Olympics.
“I’m heartbroken,” O’Dine said. “But I am proud of the work I put in this year to get here. After I fractured my ankle in November, I was able to show myself a new level of dedication, passion and hard work to return stronger.
“I have seen a new athlete in myself emerge from the challenges I have faced this year and will continue to rise above. I am upset now, but I will grow from this.”
O’Dine is currently receiving care and will continue to be monitored by the medical team as she begins her recovery.
Medal contender
O’Dine was considered a medal contender for next week’s women’s snowboard cross event.
A two-time Olympic medallist at the 2022 Beijing Games, O’Dine also finished fourth at the 2025 world championships.
This latest injury is yet another setback for the Canadian team, which lost three-time Olympic medallist Mark McMorris in the men’s big air event. That final is scheduled for later Saturday.
The Regina native was injured after hitting his head during a crash in training on Thursday.
But McMorris’s quest for a fourth straight Olympic medal may not be lost. In a social medal post on Friday, the 32-year-old expressed optimism he’ll be able to participant in the slopestyle event, set to begin Feb. 16 at Livigno Snow Park.
“Getting better day by day, hour by hour,” McMorris said on Instagram. “There is a really good chance I will get [medically] cleared to compete in slopestyle and that’s all I need to keep pushing my hardest.”
McMorris, who was taken to hospital after the incident and released soon after, added he was thankful for the love and support from Canadians.
“I haven’t been on my phone much but the messages do not go unnoticed,” he said. “Thank you, and I will keep you updated.”