Short Track Speed Skater Faces Online Harassment | Maxime Laoun

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina are facing a growing controversy following a judging decision in the men’s short track speed skating event. A formal complaint has been lodged by the Italian Sports Federation after Italian skater Pietro Sighel was disqualified following a collision with Canada’s Maxime Laoun during the semi-finals of the 500m race. The incident has sparked outrage among Italian supporters and officials, who believe the decision was unjust.

The crash occurred as Laoun attempted an overtake on Sighel. Replays appeared to show minimal fault on the part of the Italian skater, yet, after a review by race officials, Sighel was not only excluded from medal contention but disqualified entirely from the race. This decision ignited a fierce debate regarding the consistency and fairness of the judging at the Games.

The president of the Italian Federation voiced strong concerns, stating, We have witnessed inconsistent and contradictory decisions by the same judge in the treatment of Pietro Sighel during these Olympics. He further emphasized that these concerns were not isolated, adding, Our opinion has been confirmed and is shared by coaches and officials from other nations present at the Games, who have expressed similar concerns about what was seen on the ice. This makes the situation even more serious and worrying.

The controversy comes on the heels of a strong performance by Canada in short track speed skating. Steven Dubois recently secured a gold medal in the men’s 500m final, demonstrating Canada’s prowess in the sport. However, the events surrounding Sighel’s disqualification have cast a shadow over their success. Maxime Laoun, the Canadian skater involved in the incident with Sighel, finished fourth in his semi-final, but is now facing a barrage of criticism and online abuse.

Reports indicate that Laoun is being targeted with attacks, insults, and hateful messages on social media, particularly in Italy. This escalation of negativity highlights the intense emotions surrounding the judging decision and the passionate support for the home team. The situation underscores the challenges athletes face in navigating the pressures of international competition and the potential for online harassment.

Maxime Laoun, 29, of Quebec, Canada, is a seasoned short track speed skater. He first represented Canada internationally at the 2014 World Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships and has consistently competed at the highest levels of the sport. He overcame a significant injury in 2019 – a triple fracture to his tibia and fibula requiring three surgeries – to return to training and ultimately qualify for both the 2022 and 2026 Olympic teams.

At the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Laoun was part of the Canadian team that won a gold medal in the 5000m relay. He was again named to Canada’s Olympic team on December 17, 2025, signaling his continued importance to the Canadian squad. His career has been marked by resilience and dedication, making the current online attacks particularly disheartening.

The Italian Federation acknowledges the authority of race officials and the regulations governing the sport. However, they maintain that the inconsistencies in the judging warrant intervention to ensure fairness. We understand the regulations and the role of race officials, but when such obvious inconsistencies emerge, it’s our duty to intervene to ensure fairness during the event itself, the president stated.

This is not the first judging controversy to surface at the 2026 Winter Olympics, raising broader questions about the integrity of the officiating process. The incident with Sighel and Laoun has amplified these concerns, prompting calls for greater transparency and accountability in the judging system. The International Skating Union (ISU) has yet to release a formal statement addressing the specific allegations made by the Italian Federation.

The fallout from this incident extends beyond the immediate disqualification of Sighel. It threatens to damage the reputation of the Games and erode public trust in the fairness of the competition. The focus now shifts to how the ISU will respond to the Italian Federation’s complaint and what steps will be taken to prevent similar controversies from arising in the future. The situation also raises concerns about the safety and well-being of athletes who are subjected to online harassment and abuse.

As the Olympics continue, all eyes will be on the ISU to address these issues and ensure that the remaining events are conducted with the utmost integrity and fairness. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the pressures faced by athletes and officials alike, and the importance of maintaining a level playing field for all competitors.