Olympic medallists Kingsbury and Sarault to lead Calgary Stampede parade

CALGARY — Olympic medallists Mikael Kingsbury and Courtney Sarault are used to getting cheers on the ice, but come July, they’ll be lauded while riding horseback to launch the Calgary Stampede.

Kingsbury, a Quebec-born moguls skier, and Sarault, a short track speedskater from Moncton, N.B., were named Wednesday as honorary marshals for the parade that kicks off the 10-day exhibition and rodeo.

“It’s been fast pace for the last couple of years with skiing, so with an event like that, I’m all good with slow pace,” Kingsbury said in an interview.

“I just want to enjoy myself and have a good time.”

He used to compete at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, he said, and he’s excited to return to the city in a different way.

At the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games, Kingsbury captured both gold and silver to become the most decorated male freestyle skier in Olympic history. He also holds more World Cup victories than any moguls skier in history.

“It’s been a very good year, yeah, a crazy year,” he said. “I was able to reach all my goals and get to my 100th win at home and then do some pretty epic results at the Olympics, with the first ever gold medal in dual moguls at the Olympic Games, and then called it a career.”

Sarault, who has trained at Calgary’s Olympic Oval, made history at the Milano-Cortina Olympics as the first Canadian short track speedskater to win four medals at a single Games. She’s also just the second Canadian athlete to capture four medals at a Winter Games.

She said she has always wanted to attend the Stampede.

“I’ve got a lot of friends who are skaters in Calgary, and I always wanted to join in on the party that looks so fun,” she said.

Both athletes may need to practise riding a horse.

Kingsbury said he has only been on a horse twice in his life, and both were when he was young.

“I’m not a cowboy but I will be for that day, definitely,” he said. “I’m excited to dive into that world and wear the hat and the boots.”

Sarault said she has probably ridden horseback a half dozen times, but it has been a couple years.

“I might have to make some calls next time in Moncton just to get the rust off.”

She added that she’s super excited to put on a cowboy hat and outfit.

“When they asked me, I said make sure it’s western to my core. I want to be western-theme everything.”

Country music star Shania Twain was parade marshal last summer.

Stuart O’Connor, Stampede president and board chair, said the event has a long tradition of celebrating Olympians.

“Courtney and Mikael embody the passion, perseverance and excellence we celebrate at the Calgary Stampede,” he said.

“As world-class athletes who have inspired youth on a global stage, they are fitting ambassador.”

The Stampede runs July 3 to 12.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2026.

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press