Olympic Figure Skating Is a Young Woman’s Sport. Deanna Stellato-Dudek Wants to Change That.

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by Vanessa Friedman

February 14, 2026

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Deanna Stellato-Dudek is rewriting history at 42 as she competes in figure skating at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. After overcoming a hip injury that nearly ended her career at 17, she returned to pairs skating with Maxime Deschamps and achieved remarkable success. In 2024, they won the world championship, making Stellato-Dudek the oldest woman ever to win a world title in figure skating. Her journey is not just about skill but also resilience and redefining age limits in her sport. Stellato-Dudek’s path was unconventional. After starting skating at 5 and aiming for the 2002 Olympics, she faced setbacks like injuries and life choices that took her away from the sport. She pursued a career in aesthetics and returned to skating later, focusing on pairs competitions. Despite being older than most competitors, her dedication led to victories, including multiple Canadian national championships and silver medals. Her story matters because it challenges stereotypes about age and ability in sports. Stellato-Dudek’s achievements prove that talent and determination can shine at any stage of life, inspiring athletes and fans alike. As she skates in Milan, she continues to break barriers, showing that there’s no expiration date on excellence in figure skating.

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/14/2026