Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier: 'Champions aren't always made with medals'

The reigning world bronze medallists in ice dance, Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier had dreams of the podium at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.

But midway through their Olympic free dance, a costly error on their curve lift assured the Canadian figure skaters that they wouldn't move up from their sixth place position in the rhythm dance in a discipline that leaves little room for mistakes.

And while their dreams were dashed as their scores assured a seventh-place finish, the two took the chance to reflect on what the Olympic journey is for most athletes: A battle from within, no matter what the end result is.

"If I could describe this Olympics, I think it really shows our resilience," Gilles told Olympics.com a few days later. "It may not have gone the way that we anticipated and had been training [for], but the fact that we could think on our feet and push through and try and save something that was going down, I really think that speaks to our character."

"Champions aren't always made with medals," she added. "They're made with opportunities and the things you've done to get to the highest level. I think we can call ourselves champions in our way. And just be proud of what we did [here]."

It was a second appearance for the team at a Games and third overall for Poirier. Two-time and reigning Canadian national champions, they won their first Grand Prix title on their 15th assignment at Skate Canada International in 2019.

The Covid pandemic halted a rise up the ranks, but - after nearly an entire competitive season washed away - they soared to a third-place finish at Worlds in 2021, setting expectations high for Beijing 2022.

Facing a fiercely talented ice dance field, they were four points out of the bronze medal