The Rainy River District will be represented at the 2026 Olympics in Italy.
Fort Frances born Anders Johnson, grandson of the late Danny Johnson, and grandma Karen of B.C. and grandson of the late Jack Winik, and grandma June of Emo, Ont., has qualified to compete in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026. Anders is poised to take the biggest step of his career as he prepares to make his Olympic debut, having earned one of only seven spots on the Canadian Men’s Olympic Team at the Olympic qualifiers in Quebec City this past January 3 and 4, where he was able to secure berths in both the 500m and 1,000m.
The 28-year-old has rapidly emerged as one of the country’s brightest long-track speed skating talents, earning international recognition for both his explosive speed and his steady rise through élite competition.
Anders is following in his grandfathers footsteps as an exceptional athlete. Danny Johnson was a professional goalie, playing in the NHL on two teams throughout his career. Danny and wife Karen lived in Fort Frances and raised their family for many years. Anders feels much pride carrying on the local heritage of his grandfather as an exceptional athlete.
At the age of three, Anders put on his skates and hit the ice in Fort Frances, at a young age he started playing hockey. Anders both excelled and loved it. Once his family moved to B.C., Anders once again joined a hockey team but decided it wasn’t for him. It just wasn’t the same as in small town Fort Frances.
Anders started speed skating at 17 years of age. Most kids start at 5. Anders started his speed skating training in B.C., then moved to Calgary to finish training.
Johnson’s breakthrough moment came on the world stage at the 2024 ISU World Single Distant Championship, where he captured gold in the team sprint, skating with veteran sprinter Laurent Dubrevil and endurance powerhouse Antoine Gel’inas-Beaulieu. The trio not only stood atop the podium, they set a world record in the event, showcasing a new flawless combination of power, pacing and precision. For Johnson, who was making his first appearance at the World Championship, the results marked a defining milestone.
Building on that momentum, Johnson continued to expand his competitive range. In 2025, he made his individual entrance at the World Single Distance Championships, taking on some of the sports strongest skaters in solo events. Though still relatively new to the international field, his performances demonstrated both technical refinement and the promise of even faster results to come as he heads towards these Olympic Games, Johnson is viewed as a key member of Canada’s generation of long-track skaters. With a world record already to his name and growing experience at the highest level, he eagerly anticipates this rare opportunity to compete in Milano.
His recent eighth place finish in the 500m at the last stop of the ISU in Inzell, Germany, has further solidified his standing among the sports top competitors.
Johnson shared that qualifying for the Olympics represents the fulfillment of a dream to compete for Canada. He reflected that for him, when he enters the Opening Ceremonies alongside his Canadian teammates and the other athletes from around the world, that it will be a moment in time when he’ll remember incredible support of his family, and friends throughout the years, everyone that has prayed for him, every coach that he’s had, every word of encouragement, every training session, and every set back and every triumph that all have helped to share his path to these Olympic Games.
Ander’s parents Rob and Janie and brother Brett will be attending the Olympics, as well as uncle and aunt John Paul and Carolyn and cousins Ben and Sophie.
“Anders playing so much hockey in Fort Frances was something that gave much joy and training, it must of been in both his and grandpa Danny’s DNA,” Grandma June shared.
June once asked Anders how fast he skated, his reply was “Around 60 miles an hour.”
Anders is attending Liberty University, studying theology and has aspirations to become a pastor.
Not only will Anders’ family and friends be watching with anticipation as Anders compete, I’m guessing many people in the Rainy River District will as well.
Anders competes on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, and Saturday, February 14, 2026.
The entire district send Anders wishes for a gold medal and achieving your lifetime dream.
Although Anders has travelled near and far and has achieved much throughout Canada and other countries soon to be competing Milano, the Rainy River District will always be his home.
The Rainy River District will be represented at the 2026 Olympics in Italy.
Fort Frances born Anders Johnson, grandson of the late Danny Johnson, and grandma Karen of B.C. and grandson of the late Jack Winik, and grandma June of Emo, Ont., has qualified to compete in the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026. Anders is poised to take the biggest step of his career as he prepares to make his Olympic debut, having earned one of only seven spots on the Canadian Men’s Olympic Team at the Olympic qualifiers in Quebec City this past January 3 and 4, where he was able to secure berths in both the 500m and 1,000m.
The 28-year-old has rapidly emerged as one of the country’s brightest long-track speed skating talents, earning international recognition for both his explosive speed and his steady rise through élite competition.
Anders is following in his grandfathers footsteps as an exceptional athlete. Danny Johnson was a professional goalie, playing in the NHL on two teams throughout his career. Danny and wife Karen lived in Fort Frances and raised their family for many years. Anders feels much pride carrying on the local heritage of his grandfather as an exceptional athlete.
At the age of three, Anders put on his skates and hit the ice in Fort Frances, at a young age he started playing hockey. Anders both excelled and loved it. Once his family moved to B.C., Anders once again joined a hockey team but decided it wasn’t for him. It just wasn’t the same as in small town Fort Frances.
Anders started speed skating at 17 years of age. Most kids start at 5. Anders started his speed skating training in B.C., then moved to Calgary to finish training.
Johnson’s breakthrough moment came on the world stage at the 2024 ISU World Single Distant Championship, where he captured gold in the team sprint, skating with veteran sprinter Laurent Dubrevil and endurance powerhouse Antoine Gel’inas-Beaulieu. The trio not only stood atop the podium, they set a world record in the event, showcasing a new flawless combination of power, pacing and precision. For Johnson, who was making his first appearance at the World Championship, the results marked a defining milestone.
Building on that momentum, Johnson continued to expand his competitive range. In 2025, he made his individual entrance at the World Single Distance Championships, taking on some of the sports strongest skaters in solo events. Though still relatively new to the international field, his performances demonstrated both technical refinement and the promise of even faster results to come as he heads towards these Olympic Games, Johnson is viewed as a key member of Canada’s generation of long-track skaters. With a world record already to his name and growing experience at the highest level, he eagerly anticipates this rare opportunity to compete in Milano.
His recent eighth place finish in the 500m at the last stop of the ISU in Inzell, Germany, has further solidified his standing among the sports top competitors.
Johnson shared that qualifying for the Olympics represents the fulfillment of a dream to compete for Canada. He reflected that for him, when he enters the Opening Ceremonies alongside his Canadian teammates and the other athletes from around the world, that it will be a moment in time when he’ll remember incredible support of his family, and friends throughout the years, everyone that has prayed for him, every coach that he’s had, every word of encouragement, every training session, and every set back and every triumph that all have helped to share his path to these Olympic Games.
Ander’s parents Rob and Janie and brother Brett will be attending the Olympics, as well as uncle and aunt John Paul and Carolyn and cousins Ben and Sophie.
“Anders playing so much hockey in Fort Frances was something that gave much joy and training, it must of been in both his and grandpa Danny’s DNA,” Grandma June shared.
June once asked Anders how fast he skated, his reply was “Around 60 miles an hour.”
Anders is attending Liberty University, studying theology and has aspirations to become a pastor.
Not only will Anders’ family and friends be watching with anticipation as Anders compete, I’m guessing many people in the Rainy River District will as well.
Anders competes on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, and Saturday, February 14, 2026.
The entire district send Anders wishes for a gold medal and achieving your lifetime dream.
Although Anders has travelled near and far and has achieved much throughout Canada and other countries soon to be competing Milano, the Rainy River District will always be his home.
