From Olympic Legacy to Olympic Dreams.

From Olympic Legacy to Olympic Dreams: WNDC Athletes Headed to Milano Cortina 2026

Fifteen years after the Olympic flame burned in Whistler, its legacy is still very much alive—this time through the athletes heading to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.

Following the official announcement by Biathlon Canada and the Canadian Olympic Committee, we’re proud to share that six athletes with strong ties to the Whistler Nordic Development Centre (WNDC) have been named to Olympic teams.

WNDC Athletes Named to the 2026 Olympic Games

Biathlon Canada

• Jasper Fleming – Current WNDC full-time athlete
• Logan Pletz – Current WNDC athlete training remotely under WNDC supervision; former full-time Whistler-based athlete (2019–2022)
• Benita Peiffer – WNDC alumna and local athlete
• Zach Connelly – WNDC alumnus
• Shilo Rousseau – WNDC alumnus

This represents an incredible milestone:

50% of the women’s Olympic biathlon team (2 of 4 athletes)
75% of the men’s Olympic biathlon team (3 of 4 athletes)

All developed through WNDC programs.

Cross-Country Skiing – Great Britain

• Joe Davies – Representing Great Britain

Joe grew up in Pemberton and was part of the WNDC development pathway through a partnership with Whistler Nordics during the 2018–2019 season—another example of Whistler’s global impact on Nordic sport.

in the news
 

FRENCH: Des athlètes de la C.-B. aux JO en biathlon
26 janvierJeux olympiques de Milan-Cortina. 
Plusieurs athlètes canadiens qui compétitionneront en biathlon aux Jeux olympiques d'hiver le mois prochain sont passés par le centre de développement nordique à Whistler. Entrevue avec l'entraîneur-chef.

Voici les liens de l'entrevue de Radio - Canada  sur leur site web, sur YouTube, et intégrée dans un article. 

ENGLISH: Whistler training hub prepares two B.C. biathletes for this years Olympic Winter Games.
Coach Etienne Letondeur has built a high performance training centre at Whistler Olympic Park. Turning biathletes into Olympic-level competitors and building a new pathway for the next generation. 

Listen to the full interview: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-46-on-the-coast/clip/16194315-whistler-training-hub-prepares-two-b.c.-biathletes-years
 

A Vision Ten Years in the Making

Inspired by the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the Whistler Nordic Development Centre was launched in 2015 with a long-term goal: develop athletes who could represent Canada on the Olympic stage by 2026.

At the time, qualifying one or two athletes would have been considered a success.

Ten years later, that vision has been exceeded—thanks to sustained investment, dedicated coaching, and a community that believes in long-term athlete development.
 

Why the WNDC Works

What makes the Whistler Nordic Development Centre (WNDC) truly special is simple: our programs are athletes centred and our integrated support team has a long-term development vision. Based at Whistler Olympic Park and led by Head Coach Etienne Letondeur, the WNDC provides a unique environment where individualized high-performance training plans meet daily access to world-class trails and biathlon facilities.  

Athletes benefit from a live–train–work model supported by Whistler Sport Legacies, and have the opportunity to train alongside carded athletes from multiple sports through the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, creating a collaborative and inspiring high-performance community.

Recognized by Biathlon Canada as an official national training centre in 2019 the WNDC has become one of Canada’s most successful biathlon development hubs.

A Community-Powered Legacy

This achievement belongs not only to the athletes and coaches, but to the entire Whistler Olympic Park and Whistler Sport Legacies community. From grooming and trail operations to guest services, volunteers, and partners—every role has helped make this possible.
 

Support the Legacy & Get Involved

Whistler Olympic Park is proud to be a not-for-profit organization. Revenue from your visit directly supports the development of Nordic athletes and helps maintain this world-class venue for everyone to enjoy.

Interested in trying biathlon yourself? Guests can experience the sport firsthand by booking a biathlon lesson with a certified instructor at Whistler Olympic Park—no prior experience required.

👉 To learn more about the Whistler Nordic Development Centre and Whistler Olympic Park, please visit:

www.whistlerolympicpark.com/sport/nordic-development

As our athletes prepare for Milano Cortina 2026, we invite you to celebrate their journey—and be part of the legacy that continues to inspire the next generation.

Photo credits: Toshi & Lucas Smith