Piper Gilles draws inspiration from her childhood dreams as she and Paul Poirier prepare for Milano Cortina 2026.
Canadian ice dance duo Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are channeling childhood dreams and personal memories as they prepare for what could be their defining Olympic moment at Milano Cortina 2026. The pair, who have been skating together for years, are setting their sights on Olympic gold while drawing strength from deeply personal motivations.
Gilles revealed her emotional connection to a childhood photo that she hopes to recreate on the Olympic podium. "This photo, I want to recreate this childhood moment on top of the podium, standing like the sassy little being that I am, with Paul, of course, next to me," she explained, describing the image that has become a symbol of her Olympic aspirations.
Community Support Fuels Olympic Dreams
The support system surrounding Gilles extends far beyond her skating partnership with Poirier. She emphasized the importance of her community in her journey: "Pretty much all of these people will be in Milan with me. They have been my community and my rock my entire career."
This network of support has been crucial throughout her career, providing stability and encouragement as she and Poirier work toward their ultimate goal of Olympic gold in figure skating's ice dance discipline.
Emotional Program Returns After Seven Years
In a particularly meaningful development, Gilles and Poirier are bringing back a free dance program that holds special significance. The routine, which they haven't performed in seven years, was created shortly after Gilles' mother passed away.
"She didn't get to see this program, but I felt every time I competed it, we always finished looking up into the crowd and I always remember feeling like she was there," Gilles shared. The decision to revive this program for Milano Cortina adds an emotional layer to their Olympic preparation, with Gilles looking forward to "ending and feeling like she's there with me."
Figure SkatingAlysa Liu Captivates at Milano Cortina 2026 Free SkateAuthenticity as the Key to Success
The Canadian ice dancers have learned valuable lessons about staying true to themselves throughout their competitive journey. Gilles reflected on the importance of authenticity: "Being your true self is one of the most important things that I've learned along the way."
This philosophy proved crucial during their previous Olympic experience, where initial self-doubt gave way to a more relaxed and authentic approach. "We just like said, hey, this is a moment of a lifetime. Like, let's just enjoy it and have fun," Gilles recalled. "It was one of the most memorable moments we've ever had because we just trusted ourselves."
As Milano Cortina 2026 approaches, Gilles continues to draw motivation from her younger self, acknowledging that "this little one is the reason you're still here" after more than three decades in the sport. The combination of childhood dreams, family memories, and authentic self-expression positions the Canadian duo as compelling contenders for Olympic gold.
