Olympic great Jennifer Heil named chef de mission for Milan-Cortina Winter Games

A selfless athlete and leader during her moguls skiing career, Jennifer Heil will bring those qualities and others to her role as Canada's chef de mission for the Milan-Cortina Olympics in 2026, the Canadian Olympic Committee announced Tuesday. 

As team spokesperson, the native of Spruce Grove, Alta., will also serve as a mentor, supporter and cheerleader with the aim to motivate and inspire athletes while protecting their performance.

"This is a massive honour," Heil told Anastasia Bucsis of CBC Sports. "I have a lot to draw on for the athletes. But I think more than that, I have perspective. And sometimes perspective is lacking as an athlete coming into your Games, which sometimes can be too much and too much pressure.

"I have that experience to release the pressure valve a little bit for the team."

The key position is filled by an athlete who represented Canada on the international scene, particularly multi-sport Games.

Heil inspired her teammates at the 2006 Olympics, winning gold for Canada's first medal in Turin, Italy. She then earned the first medal by a Canadian (silver) four years later in Vancouver at her third and final Games before retiring in 2011 with 58 World Cup podium finishes, including 25 gold.

"I could go for one more Olympic Games," Heil told reporters at the time. "I'm still at the top of my game, but for me I feel it's an important time to build my future. I want to be as successful off the slopes as I have been on the slopes and I feel that time is now."

WATCH | Heil named chef de mission for Milan-Cortina Olympics:

3-time Olympian Jennifer Heil is the chef de mission for Milan-Cortina Games

Heil's moguls teammate, Alex Bilodeau, won the country's first Olympic gold in Vancouver the day after