Former Triathlon Canada executive to start new role with Speed Skating Canada following Milano-Cortina 2026
CALGARY, ALBERTA – One of Canada’s most successful Olympic disciplines will welcome a new technical leader following the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano-Cortina, as Speed Skating Canada announces today the hiring of Phil Dunne as High Performance Director of Canada’s long track speed skating program.
Dunne, who has proven success in leading teams to podium results at major multisport games and championships, will be tasked with guiding a Canadian program that has produced 42 Olympic medals and more than 150 World Championship medals, and has long held a place among the world’s elite.
A sport leader with over 15 years of experience, he served as High Performance Director of Triathlon Canada from 2022 to 2024, guiding Canada to its most successful Olympic and Paralympic Games in nearly two decades at Paris 2024, highlighted by Leanne Taylor’s bronze medal at the Paralympics and Tyler Mislawchuk’s spirited ninth-place Olympic finish.
Dunne took over as Triathlon Canada’s Chief Executive Officer in September 2024, where he managed an annual operating budget of over $2 million and recently guided the organisation – which included 10 full-time and 8 part-time staff members – and its sport partners through the development and launch of their new strategic plan.
Joe Morissette, Chief Executive Officer, Speed Skating Canada“Phil is an exceptional sport leader with a proven ability to build strong teams, deliver results on the world stage, and create the conditions for athletes and coaches to succeed. His combination of high performance expertise, strategic leadership, and operational experience will be a major asset as we transition out of the Milano-Cortina Olympics and set our sights on the 2030 quadrennial. We’re thrilled to welcome Phil to Speed Skating Canada and to our long track program.”
Dunne joins the Speed Skating Canada team with extensive education and expertise in sport science and management. He has previously worked for the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium, and World Rugby, where he led multi-disciplinary teams across Olympic and Paralympic programs, developing performance pathways that guided athletes and coaches toward international success.
Canada’s national program currently features more than 40 athletes, along with dozens of coaches and support staff, training out of the Olympic Oval in Calgary and the Centre de glace Intact Assurance in Quebec City. As the new High Performance Director, Dunne will lead the development and implementation of a high performance strategy for the 2030 Olympic quadrennial, one that will prioritize the continued growth of NextGen athletes to ensure sustainable, long-term success for Canada on the international stage.
Phil Dunne, Director, High Performance – Long Track, Speed Skating Canada“I am incredibly honoured and excited to step into the Long Track High Performance Director role for Speed Skating Canada. This sport and program has a remarkable legacy of excellence on the world stage, and I feel very privileged in joining the team to work alongside the athletes, coaches, IST and management to build on that foundation together and to inspire the next generation of Canadian speed skaters.”
A native of the Dublin, Ireland, Dunne will officially begin his role with Speed Skating Canada in March 2026, following the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano-Cortina, and will relocate from Victoria to Calgary this coming summer. He will take over the High Performance Director position from Simon Nathan, who was hired on an interim basis in February 2025 to help guide the program through the final phase of Olympic preparations.
Joe Morissette, Chief Executive Officer, Speed Skating Canada“I want to sincerely thank Simon Nathan for stepping in as Interim High Performance Director at a critical moment for our program. He has provided steady leadership, strong support to our athletes and coaches, and helped ensure we stay focused and aligned through to the Milano-Cortina Olympics. We’re grateful for his commitment and the professionalism he has brought to this role.”
Canada’s long track speed skating team for Milano-Cortina 2026 was formally announced alongside the Canadian Olympic Committee on January 15. Racing in Milan will take place between February 7 and 21 (Days 1 to 15) at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium.