World Champion Figure Skater Deanna Stellato-Dudek Gains Canadian Citizenship

The 41-year-old Chicago native is now eligible to compete for Canada with partner Maxime Deschamps at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Deanna Stellato-Dudek, a world champion pairs figure skater, officially became a Canadian citizen during a ceremony in Montreal on December 11, 2024.
Her newly acquired citizenship allows her and her Canadian partner, Maxime Deschamps, to represent Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, as required by Olympic rules.
Stellato-Dudek, who retired from singles skating in 2001 due to hip injuries, made a remarkable comeback in 2016 and transitioned to pairs skating.
The duo has dominated the international figure skating scene, winning the 2024 World Championship and multiple Grand Prix events this season, solidifying their status as Olympic medal contenders.
The pair withdrew from the recent Grand Prix Final due to Deschamps' illness but plan to compete at the Canadian championships in January and the World Championships in Boston in March.