Sadovsky welcomes challenge for Canada's Olympic men's figure skating spot

Roman Sadovsky is embracing the fight.

The reigning national men's champion didn't flinch when Keegan Messing announced his return to figure skating, and he's welcoming Stephen Gogolev's resurgence with the same composure.

A battle is brewing for Canada's lone men's spot at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics — and Sadovsky wouldn't want it any other way.

"I'm doing this because I like the thrill of competition," he said. "The more competition, the better, honestly. And if it weren't for competition, I wouldn't be doing it, straight up, so I welcome it — and definitely every bit of competition is more motivation."

Sadovsky will be among the 18 Canadian athletes across all events competing this weekend at Skate Canada International in Saskatoon, the third stop on the Grand Prix circuit.

The 26-year-old from Vaughan, Ont., won his second national title last January in Laval, Que., and appeared to be the early favourite for Canada's Olympic spot until Messing, a two-time Olympian, revealed his comeback in August.

Messing's top scores surpass those of any Canadian man since he stepped away from the sport in 2023. The 33-year-old would become the country's top contender if he returns to his old form, though that remains to be seen.

While the news of his return surprised many, Sadovsky saw it coming.

"It's such a small world and you hear things down the grapevine. I've been hearing it since like last season, so it came as no shock," he said. "I was totally prepared and expected it, but it doesn't really change my focus and what my goals are and how I'm gonna train.

"He just definitely added some fuel to the fire."

Tracey Wainman, Sadovsky's longtime coach out of the York Region Skating Centre in Richmond Hill, Ont., says the