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Sirios Resources

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Investor Insight

Sirios Resources is advancing one of Québec’s largest undeveloped gold deposits, combining a multi-million-ounce resource base, strong infrastructure access and deep regional expertise backed by the Osisko development ecosystem, creating a clear pathway toward re-rating and growth.

Overview

Sirios Resources (TSXV:SOI,OTCQB:SIREF) is a Québec-based gold exploration and development company focused on advancing a portfolio of high-potential projects in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Québec. The company’s flagship asset, the Cheechoo gold project, ranks among the largest gold projects in the province by resource size. The project benefits from favourable geology, near-surface mineralization, and proximity to existing infrastructure, including road access, power lines and the nearby Éléonore mine. Sirios is advancing Cheechoo through systematic drilling, resource expansion and technical studies with the objective of progressing the project toward a PEA.

In December 2025, Sirios announced a transformational combination with OVI Mining, creating a district-scale gold platform anchored by Cheechoo and complemented by the Corvet Est and PLEX projects. The transaction brings Sirios into the Osisko development ecosystem, strengthening the company’s leadership team with proven mine-building and capital markets expertise, while retaining Sirios’ long-standing geological knowledge of James Bay.

With over three decades of continuous exploration in the region and strong relationships with local and Indigenous communities, Sirios is well-positioned to unlock value through disciplined project advancement and exploration-driven growth.

Company Highlights

  • Flagship Cheechoo gold project hosts approximately 3 million ounces of gold, including 1.3 million ounces indicated and 1.7 million ounces inferred, including additional underground resources
  • Located in Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Québec, a Tier-1 mining jurisdiction with strong government and community support
  • Low strip ratio (2.9:1) and high gold recoveries (92 percent) support attractive open-pit development potential at Cheechoo
  • Strategic combination with OVI Mining brings Osisko-backed leadership, capital markets strength and additional district-scale exploration assets

Key Projects

Cheechoo Gold Project

The 100 percent owned Cheechoo gold project is Sirios’ flagship asset located in Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Québec, near existing infrastructure and operating mines. The project hosts a large, near-surface gold deposit with scalable, open-pit potential and higher-grade underground extensions.

A 2025 mineral resource estimate outlines approximately 3 million ounces of gold, including 1.3 million ounces indicated at 1.12 grams per ton (g/t) gold and 1.7 million ounces inferred at 1.23 g/t gold, which includes 446,000 ounces of underground resources grading 3.09 g/t gold. The deposit exhibits a low strip ratio of 2.9:1 and high metallurgical recoveries of approximately 92 percent, supporting favourable development characteristics.

In addition to the current resource, Cheechoo hosts a significant exploration target ranging from 31 to 40 million tonnes grading between 1.27 and 1.45 g/t gold, highlighting strong potential for further resource growth. Sirios’ ongoing work is focused on expanding the resource base and advancing the project toward a preliminary economic assessment.

Corvet Est Gold Project

Corvet Est is a 6,500-hectare district-scale land package located east of Cheechoo within the same highly prospective James Bay geological corridor. The project comprises a historically drilled gold system that has seen limited modern exploration since 2012. Following consolidation by OVI Mining, Corvet Est now offers Sirios exposure to a large land package with multiple mineralized zones and significant upside potential.

Plex Gold Project

The PLEX project is a 21,000-hectare district-scale land package hosting the Orfée gold zone, characterized by multiple structural corridors and underexplored depth and strike potential. Historical drilling has confirmed gold mineralization, and Sirios plans to advance compilation, target refinement and exploration programs to unlock the project’s discovery potential.

Aquilon Gold Project

The Aquilon project is an optioned gold asset located in James Bay and hosts numerous high-grade gold showings, including some of the highest gold grades historically reported in Québec. Recent drilling has outlined a broad gold-mineralized halo with strong expansion potential. Exploration at Aquilon is currently being advanced in partnership with Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada, providing Sirios with continued exposure to exploration upside while limiting capital commitments.

Management Team (Post-Transaction)

Dominique Doucet. – Executive Chairman

Dominique Doucet is a veteran of Québec’s mineral exploration industry with more than 40 years of experience, including over 30 years in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. He founded Sirios Resources and has led the discovery of several significant gold occurrences, including the Cheechoo and Aquilon deposits.

Jean-Félix Lepage – Chief Executive Officer

Jean-Félix Lepage is a mining engineer with over 15 years of experience in mine operations and project development. Prior to joining Sirios, he served as vice-president of Projects at O3 Mining, where he advanced the Marban project, and previously held senior operational roles at Newmont, including at the Éléonore mine.

Sean Roosen – Board Member

Sean Roosen is the founder and executive chairman of Osisko Development and former CEO of Osisko Gold Royalties. He played a central role in the discovery, financing and development of the Canadian Malartic mine and is widely recognized as a leader in the global mining industry.

Laurence Farmer – Board Member

Laurence Farmer is CEO of Electric Elements Mining and General Counsel and vice-president of corporate development at Osisko Development. He brings extensive experience across mining, law and finance, with a strong background in corporate transactions and resource development.

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Crypto Market Update: Robinhood Shares Fall on Lower Quarterly Crypto Revenue

Investing 6 Mins Read

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (February 11) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.

Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ether and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$67,551.42, down 18 percent over the last 24 hours.

Bitcoin price performance, February 11, 2026.

Chart via TradingView.

“Bitcoin appears to be entering a stabilization phase before its next directional move. In the near term, prices are likely to consolidate around the US$70,000 level as the market digests recent volatility and continued profit-taking, but the broader setup points to a gradual recovery toward the US$85,000 to US$95,000 range by mid-2026.

“The key driver is institutional behavior: ETF outflows are slowing rather than accelerating, suggesting that forced selling pressure is easing and longer-term allocators are becoming more selective instead of exiting outright. At the same time, regulatory progress — particularly around stablecoin frameworks and clearer market structure — continues to strengthen Bitcoin’s position as a maturing asset within global portfolios, especially as investors look for inflation hedges amid ongoing macro uncertainty.

“While short-term price action may remain uneven, innovation across DeFi and tokenized assets is reinforcing the underlying crypto ecosystem, creating conditions that have historically supported post-correction recoveries and attracted long-term capital back into Bitcoin.”

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$1,955.33, down by 2.8 percent over the last 24 hours.

Altcoin price update

  • XRP (XRP) was priced at US$1.38, down by 1.2 percent over 24 hours.
  • Solana (SOL) was trading at US$79.64, down by 3.5 percent over 24 hours.

Today’s crypto news to know

Robinhood shares Q4 earnings

Robinhood Markets (NASDAQ:HOOD) released its latest quarterly report on Wednesday, revealing net income totaling US$605 million for Q4 2025 and US$1.9 billion for the year.

The company reported a record US$1.28 billion in quarterly revenue, a 27 percent increase year-on-year, but shy of estimates of about US$1.36 billion. Its full‑year 2025 revenue reached US$4.5 billion, up 52 percent.

However, crypto revenue fell 38 percent to US$221 million in Q4.

Despite a fundamentally solid quarter, with record earnings per share of US$0.66 in Q4 and US$2.05 for 2025, shares dropped between 7 and 12 percent after the print and closed 9 percent lower on the day.

In other news, Robinhood launched a public testnet for Robinhood Chain, an Ethereum Layer 2 built on Arbitrum technology and designed to support tokenized real‑world and digital assets.

Developers can begin building and testing apps on it ahead of a future mainnet launch. The testnet offers network access, developer docs and compatibility with standard Ethereum tools, plus early support from infrastructure providers such as Alchemy, Chainlink and LayerZero. Robinhood also said it is committing US$1 million to the 2026 Arbitrum Open House program to encourage developer activity on the testnet and eventual mainnet.

Banks dig in on stablecoin yield as CLARITY Act stalls

US banks are hardening their position on stablecoin rules, escalating a policy clash that has left the long-awaited CLARITY Act stuck in Congress. During a White House-hosted meeting led by the administration’s crypto council, banking groups circulated a proposal calling for an outright ban on paying interest or other incentives to stablecoin holders.

The draft language states: “No person may provide any form of financial or non-financial consideration to a stablecoin holder” in connection with holding or using a payment stablecoin.

Banking groups warned that allowing yield on stablecoins could “drive deposit flight that would undercut Main Street lending,” while crypto advocates argued innovation should not be stifled. The dispute centers on whether stablecoin rewards resemble bank deposits, potentially siphoning funds from traditional lenders.

‘As we noted during the meeting, that framework can and must embrace financial innovation without undermining safety and soundness, and without putting the bank deposits that fuel local lending and drive economic activity at risk. We look forward to ongoing discussions to move market structure legislation forward,’ the American Bankers Association said in a statement following the meeting.

The standoff has become the main obstacle preventing the CLARITY Act from advancing, despite earlier passage of the GENIUS Act, which created a federal framework for dollar-backed stablecoins.

Goldman Sachs maintains US$1 billion Bitcoin ETF exposure

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) disclosed in its latest US Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it holds just over US$1 billion in exposure to Bitcoin through exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

The exposure is split across products, including BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (NASDAQ:IBIT) and Fidelity’s Wise Origin Bitcoin ETF (NEO:FBTC). Bitcoin has dropped roughly 47 percent from its high and is trading near US$67,000, part of a broader US$2 trillion drawdown across the crypto market. ETF flows have been volatile, with more than US$6 billion exiting spot Bitcoin funds since November, according to industry data.

Despite the slump, Goldman has also expanded into Ether, XRP and Solana ETFs.

Monad launches Nitro accelerator

Blockchain company Monad announced Tuesday (February 10) launch of a new three month accelerator program, Nitro, supported by notable firms including Paradigm, Electric Capital, Dragonfly and Castle Island Ventures.

According to commentary provided in a media briefing accompanying the announcement, “The program is designed to address a common issue in crypto venture funding: teams often raise capital quickly but struggle to ship production-ready products or reach product-market fit. Nitro is structured around execution, shipping cadence, and validation, rather than short-term growth metrics or token-driven incentives.”

The press release notes that the Monad ecosystem has already seen US$108 million raised by projects.

The three month program includes an in-person first month in New York City, and will be followed by two months of focused execution, concluding with a Demo Day for crypto and tech investors.

Interactive Brokers adds Coinbase nano contracts

Interactive Brokers said it is adding “nano contracts’ from Coinbase Global’s (NASDAQ:COIN) derivatives arm to its trading platform. These contracts control fractions of a Bitcoin or Ether coin and require less upfront investment.

Clients can trade these futures, some with set expiry dates and others that track the current price over time, 24/7 within Interactive Brokers’ standard brokerage environment, alongside stocks and options.

The move is meant to make it easier and cheaper for people to get exposure to crypto prices and manage risk, while still using a regulated broker and exchange.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Tartisan Nickel: Working Towards a Feasibility Study and Production Decision at the Kenbridge Nickel Deposit

Investing 2 Mins Read

Tartisan Nickel (CSE:TN,OTCQX:TTSRF,FSE: 8TA) is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on advancing high-quality critical mineral assets in Ontario. Its flagship asset, the Kenbridge nickel project in Northwestern Ontario, is an advanced-stage nickel sulphide deposit containing nickel, copper and cobalt.

Management’s strategy for Kenbridge is clear and execution-driven: expand and upgrade the resource through drilling, extend potential mine life, and continue systematically de-risking the project.

Tartisan Nickel has been engaging with Treaty # 3 First Nations since May 2007.

At the same time, Tartisan holds the Sill Lake silver project, a past-producing silver-lead property near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Supported by strong fundamentals for nickel, copper and silver, management positions Tartisan as a multi-asset story—providing investors with exposure to several value drivers within a single platform.

Company Highlights

  • Clear focus on drilling-driven value creation, with active programs designed to upgrade inferred resources, expand the deposit at depth, and extend mine life into the mid-teens
  • Low-capex development profile relative to many peer nickel projects, supported by a historic shaft, road access, and established infrastructure
  • Sill Lake Silver Project provides additional, underappreciated value, offering exposure to silver through a brownfields, past-producing asset with a defined historic resource
  • Experienced leadership team with deep capital markets and mine development experience, focused on disciplined capital allocation and unlocking value from opportunity-acquired assets

This Tartisan Nickel profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*

Click here to connect with Tartisan Nickel (CSE:TN,OTCQX:TTSRF,FSE: 8TA) to receive an Investor Presentation

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Prismo Metals Advances to Drilling at Historic Silver King Silver Project with Permit Approval and Contractor Engagement

Investing 7 Mins Read

(TheNewswire)

Vancouver, British Columbia, February 12th, 2026 TheNewswire — Prismo Metals Inc. (‘Prismo’ or the ‘Company’) (CSE: PRIZ,OTC:PMOMF | OTCQB: PMOMF) is pleased to announce that it has received formal permit approval from the U.S. Forest Service to proceed with its fully funded drill program at the Company’s historic Silver King Mine project located in Arizona’s prolific Copper Belt.

The approved permit authorizes drilling from multiple drill pads in the area of the historic mine designed to test the upper part of the Silver King mineralized body that was mined on nine levels over about 300 meters depth (Fig. 1).

Additional high-priority targets identified through recent exploration work can also be tested with some of the planned drill locations. Testing of other targets on private ground is being considered. Mobilization on site is scheduled for February 20th followed by preparatory site work and access improvements followed by drilling.

Dr. Craig Gibson, Chief Exploration Officer of Prismo Metals, commented: ‘Receiving approval for drilling at Silver King is a key milestone as we transition from surface exploration into active testing of the system. With funding in place for multiple phases of drilling, we are well positioned to evaluate the significant exploration potential of this historic, high-grade silver system.’

Alain Lambert, CEO of Prismo commented: ‘Following a very smooth permitting process with Forest Service, we are now ready to conduct the first ever comprehensive drill program at Silver King. Our exploration work to date has attracted the attention of many given the results we have published and our proximity (3.4 km) to Resolution Copper, a Rio Tinto/BHP joint venture. I expect the drilling program to heighten attention.’

Phase 1 Drill Program Highlights:

  • Fully funded program 

  • 1,000 meters of diamond drilling to test the upper portion of the steeply plunging, pipe-like Silver King mineralized body 

  • Mobilization to Silver King Project scheduled for February 20th, 2026 

  • Additional drilling to test lower down in the mineralized structure and mineralized areas adjacent to the historic mine may also be completed 


Click Image To View Full Size

Fig. 1.  Permitted drill sites planned for initial Phase I drilling at the Silver King mine shown by white dots.  The orange line indicates the approximate location of the cross section in Fig. 2.  View looking south-easterly.

Drilling will initially focus on testing the upper portion of the steeply west-dipping pipelike stockwork and breccia zone that historically produced high-grade silver and base metals (Fig. 2), as well as targets adjacent to and beneath historic workings. Initial drilling is estimated at 1000 meters in nine holes.  A second phase of drilling will be dedicated to testing at deeper levels and areas adjacent to the historic mine.

Dr. Gibson, added: ‘We are pleased to engage Godbe Drilling, a highly respected contractor with substantial experience in Arizona and a staging area near the project. The objective is to test the upper half of the steeply dipping pipelike Silver King mineralized body, as well as potential mineralization adjacent to the dense stockwork zones that were the focus of historic mining.’

Drilling Contractor Engagement

Prismo has engaged Godbe Drilling LLC to conduct this Phase 1 drilling program. Godbe Drilling LLC is a Colorado-based family-owned diamond core drilling and mineral exploration business with extensive operating experience in the southwestern United States, including Arizona.

 

Fig. 2.  Cross section through Silver King mine showing workings and first four planned drill holes.

 

Silver King Project Overview

The Silver King mine was discovered in 1875 and is one of Arizona’s most significant historic silver producers, with nearly six million ounces of silver produced at average grades ranging from approximately 61 to 21 ounces per ton during early production. Limited small-scale mining in the late 1990s yielded samples with exceptionally high silver and associated gold values, suggesting that high-grade mineralization remains within the system. The project is located within the same geological framework as other world-class deposits in the Arizona Copper Belt, and its proximity to active mining operations enhances its strategic significance.

Qualified Person

Dr. Craig Gibson, PhD., CPG., a Qualified Person as defined by NI-43-01 regulations and Chief Exploration Officer and a director of the Company, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release.  

About Prismo Metals Inc.

Prismo (CSE: PRIZ,OTC:PMOMF) is a mining exploration company focused on advancing its Silver King, Ripsey and Hot Breccia projects in Arizona and its Palos Verdes silver project in Mexico.

Please follow @PrismoMetals on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube

Prismo Metals Inc.

1100 – 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6 Phone: (416) 361-0737

 

Contact:

Alain Lambert, Chief Executive Officer alain.lambert@prismometals.com

Gordon Aldcorn, President gordon.aldcorn@prismometals.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‘intends’ or ‘anticipates‘, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results ‘may’, ‘could’, ‘should’, ‘would’ or ‘occur’. This information and these statements, referred to herein as ‘forward-looking statements’, are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management’s expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the timing, costs and results of drilling at Silver King; and the intended use of any proceeds raised under recent financings.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the potential inability of the Company to utilize the anticipated proceeds of the Private Placement as anticipated; and those risks set out in the Company’s public disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.com) under the Company‘s issuer profile.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will use the proceeds of the Second Tranche as currently anticipated and on the timeline currently expected.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward- looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward- looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

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Sirios Resources: Advancing a Multi-million-ounce Gold Project in Québec’s James Bay Region

Investing 2 Mins Read

Sirios Resources (TSXV:SOI,OTCQB:SIREF) is a Québec-based gold exploration and development company focused on high-potential projects in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. Its flagship Cheechoo gold project ranks among the largest in the province by resource size and benefits from favourable geology, near-surface mineralization, and existing infrastructure, including road access, power lines, and proximity to the Éléonore mine. Sirios is advancing Cheechoo through systematic drilling, resource expansion, and technical studies, aiming to progress the project toward a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).

In December 2025, Sirios completed a transformational combination with OVI Mining, creating a district-scale gold platform anchored by Cheechoo and complemented by the Corvet Est and PLEX projects. The transaction integrates Sirios into the Osisko development ecosystem, strengthening the leadership team with proven mine-building and capital markets expertise while maintaining the company’s deep geological knowledge of the James Bay region.

With over 30 years of continuous exploration in James Bay and strong partnerships with local and Indigenous communities, Sirios is well-positioned to create value through disciplined project advancement and exploration-driven growth. The company’s combination of experience, strategic assets, and community engagement underpins its long-term growth strategy.

Company Highlights

  • Flagship Cheechoo gold project hosts approximately 3 million ounces of gold, including 1.3 million ounces indicated and 1.7 million ounces inferred, including additional underground resources
  • Located in Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Québec, a Tier-1 mining jurisdiction with strong government and community support
  • Low strip ratio (2.9:1) and high gold recoveries (92 percent) support attractive open-pit development potential at Cheechoo
  • Strategic combination with OVI Mining brings Osisko-backed leadership, capital markets strength and additional district-scale exploration assets
  • Well-funded with recent treasury additions, supporting advancement of Cheechoo toward a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) and ongoing exploration across the portfolio

This Sirios Resources profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*

Click here to connect with Sirios Resources (TSXV:SOI) to receive an Investor Presentation

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Bobsled at Winter Olympics: How it works, US stars to watch

Sport 3 Mins Read

Bobsled, one of the oldest sports at the Winter Olympics, returns to the 2026 Milano Cortina Games and will showcase athletes with nerves of steel as they steer a high-tech sled down a fast, icy track with multiple turns.

Veteran U.S. bobsledders Kaillie Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor are set to make their fifth appearance at the Winter Games and are heavy favorites to podium. Humphries and Meyers Taylor finished first and second respectively in the inaugural women’s monobob event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Bobsled includes a total of four events, which will be contested at the Cortina Sliding Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

When did bobsled become a Winter Olympic sport?

Bobsled has been part of the Winter Olympics since the inaugural 1924 Chamonix Winter Games, although it wasn’t contested in Squaw Valley in 1960 to cut down expenses by not building a bobsled track. The two-man event was added to the program at the 1932 Lake Placid Winter Games and the two-woman race made its Olympic debut in Salt Lake in 2002. The Olympic women’s monobob was first held at the 2022 Games in Beijing.

How does Olympic bobsled work?

Each sled has one driver, while others push the sled from the starting gate before jumping into the back of the sled for the rest of the ride. Bobsled events each last two days, with two runs each day. The fastest combined time determines the winner. Men and women each compete in their own events:

Men

  • 4-man bobsled: One driver and three pushers in each sled
  • 2-man bobsled: One driver and one pusher in each sled

Women

  • 2-women bobsled: One driver and one pusher in each sled
  • Monobob: One driver, no pushers

Top Team USA athletes

  • Kaillie Humphries: The 40-year-old pilot won gold for the U.S. in monobob at the 2022 Beijing Games and also won gold in two-man in 2014 and 2010 while representing Canada. She joined short-track speedskater Viktor Ahn as the only Winter Olympians to win gold for different countries. Milano Cortina marks her fifth Games and first as a mother after giving birth to son Aulden in June 2024.
  • Elana Meyers Taylor: The 41-year-old pilot/brakeman enters Milano Cortina, her fifth Winter Games, with five Olympic medals, including three silvers and two bronzes. She earned a silver medal in the inaugural women’s monobob at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and a bronze in the two-woman bobsled race with Sylvia Hoffman to become the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history.
  • Kaysha Love: The up-and-coming bobsledder won gold in women’s monobob at the 2025 IBSF World Championships. Love, 28, made her Olympic debut at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, less than two years after beginning bobsled following a track and field career at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

International landscape

German bobsledder Francesco Friedrich is in pursuit of a record fifth gold medal. His four gold medals are tied for the most in the sport after winning the two-man and four-man event in Pyeongchang in 2018 and Beijing in 2022. Milano Cortina will mark his fourth Winter Games. Germany’s Laura Nolte is also a top contender after winning gold in the two-woman bobsleigh in 2022 in Beijing.

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Ukrainian athlete booted by IOC over helmet honoring war dead

Sport 2 Mins Read

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — A Ukrainian skeleton athlete has been kicked out of the Milano Cortina Olympics for insisting on wearing a helmet honoring fellow athletes killed in Russia’s unprovoked invasion of his country.

The International Olympic Committee announced the decision on Thursday, Feb. 12, after Vladyslav Heraskevych met with IOC president Kirsty Coventry before the start of the skeleton competition.

‘The IOC was very keen for Mr Heraskevych to compete,’ the IOC said in a statement. ‘This is why the IOC sat down with him to look for the most respectful way to address his desire to remember his fellow athletes who have lost their lives following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The essence of this case is not about the message, it is about where he wanted to express it.’

Heraskevych said he will appeal the IOC’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

‘It’s hard to say or put into words. It’s emptiness,” he told reporters outside the sliding center.

Heraskevych’s helmet has images of more than 20 athletes and coaches killed since Russia invaded Ukraine almost four years ago. They include figure skater Dmytro Sharpar, who competed with Heraskevych during the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics

The IOC says the helmet violates its rules against making political statements on the field of play, and said it offered Heraskevych alternatives, including wearing a black armband or a black ribbon. It also said Heraskevych could carry the helmet with him in the mixed zone after he was done competing.

But Heraskevych has rebuffed the options, saying his helmet is not a political statement.

‘This is price of our dignity,’ he said in a post on X after the IOC’s decision.

Heraskevych had seemed to anticipate the IOC’s decision in a post Wednesday night thanking people for their support. 

‘For me, the sacrifice of the people depicted on the helmet means more than any medal ever could – because they gave the most precious thing they had,’ he wrote.

This is not the first time Heraskevych has used his Olympic platform to protest Russia’s aggression toward his country. He displayed a small sign with ‘No war in Ukraine’ after his final run at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.

Russia invaded Ukraine two weeks later.

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Barbieri, 17, advances in halfpipe with an eye on Olympic medal

Sport 3 Mins Read

LIVIGNO, Italy — You haven’t seen anything yet.

That was Alessandro Barbieri’s message after the 17-year-old American finished fourth in the Olympic men’s halfpipe qualifier on Feb. 11 at Livigno Snow Park.

Barbieri, the highest finisher of the three Americans who advanced into the 12-man final on Feb. 13, posted an 88.50 on the third overall run of the competition. Though he’d ultimately finish behind Australian star Scotty James (94) and Japan’s Yuto Totuska (91.25) and Ryusei Yamada (90.25), it was a highly encouraging Olympics debut for the confident youngster from Portland, Oregon.

And get this:

‘What I really have in my head is a 10. That was more like a six,’ Barbieri said. ‘I have a lot more in the tank. … I kind of expect myself to be near the top after all this hard work I’ve put. I’m pleased, but not too shocked.’

On a second run that set up more as a practice run, Barbieri suffered an odd fall, slipping after landing a trick and setting up for the next.

Barbieri’s big Olympic debut in Livigno happening in front of snowboarding legend Shaun White, who pointed to Barbieri as one to watch in these Games.

‘We need another guy like Shaun,’ Barbieri said. ‘We have really good snowboarders. Obviously, no one to the level of Shaun and his dominance. But we need the U.S. back on the podium or even on the top step.

Barbieri will be joined in the final by American teammates Chase Josey and Jake Pates, who finished 11th and 12th, making them the final two riders to advance out of the 25-man qualifying event after a tense wait until the finish line.

Josey, 30, fell on his second run after earning a 76.50 score on an initial run that was based largely on execution – he grabbed the board mid-air through his legs at one point – than high-flying acrobatics.

‘Those are the little things that the judges look for,’ Josey said, ‘and that’s what I’ve got to do to compete with some of these Japanese guys who are doing triples and really at the top of the game. I’m fighting for this opportunity to be in the finals, but it’s nice to see that run get rewarded.’

Pates, 27, fell on his first run and responded with a clutch performance, scoring 75.50 when he needed to exceed a 74 to move into 12th place, placing him right on the cut line.

From there, he and Josey each had to wait out nine more competitors.

‘When I was put into 12th. I had a crazy level of anxiety kind of come over me,’ Pates said with a laugh. ‘I’m just excited to be here and to be a part of this.’

A fourth Team USA rider in the field, Chase Blackwell, scored a 69 and finished 15th.

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Madison Chock and Evan Bates shed tears over ‘bittersweet’ Olympic ending

Sport 5 Mins Read

MILAN — Madison Chock took a long pause to gather her thoughts. Her eyes already red, and tears on the verge of flowing again.

With the lights at their brightest, they gave the performance of a lifetime. Ice dance gold was on the line, and what transpired over four minutes on the ice indicated it was in sight. After falling short so many times, Chock and Evan Bates weren’t going to be denied from reaching figure skating immortality.

When the dust settled, they had done it. Chock and Bates finally won a Winter Olympic ice dance medal. 

Just one thing: it wasn’t gold. 

In a result that has sent shockwaves through the figure skating world, one of the most decorated U.S. duos was upset, taking silver as the controversial French team of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron were crowned Olympic champions.

In the immediate aftermath, Chock and Bates stayed stoic. They smiled and waved when their name was called as the second-place team. They smiled with their fellow medalists for a picture. They carried the U.S. flag around the ice with pride, sending love to the crowd.

The husband-and-wife tried to keep it together, but eventually, as they went away from the crowd, the emotions couldn’t be held back any longer. 

More than an hour after the results were finalized, Chock and Bates were still trying to grasp the result. It was two days ago when Bates said the goal was gold, but it wouldn’t be a failure if they weren’t at the top of the podium.

Yet after their second-place finish, it felt like the ultimate let down.

“It’s definitely a little bittersweet,” Chock said with tissues in hand. 

Most figure skating fans – and even the casual viewer – would argue Chock and Bates outperformed Beaudry and Cizeron. Even though the French team started the night in first place, only .46 separated them in the standings. The slightest advantage could help the Americans leap over them.

It was done with a free dance that has captivated audiences every single time it was performed. Chock and Bates brought the fire and intensity with their matadora and bull story, and most importantly, skated clean. 

Like so many times before, they achieved a season-best score of 134.67. In their eyes, they secured what they set out to get. 

Chock went on to say how happy they were with their performance, trying to speak through the tears that started to flow. Neither of them said it, but there was a real belief the competition was decided by the time their performance was done.

‘It was our gold medal performance,” Bates said. ‘It was the best that we could skate.”

Yet, there were still the leaders going into the night. Beaudry and Cizeron did exceptionally well, but it didn’t feel as clean as it needed to be. It definitely wasn’t obvious or a given they would keep the lead. The crowd collectively stilled waiting for the results.

The judges thought the opposite. The French score was .97 better, finishing with a victory margin of 1.43.

You couldn’t have asked for more from Chock and Bates, who had a chaotic schedule of four performances in six days. It took so much physical and mental work to go through such a rigorous grind, and they still found a way to collect a medal.

Even with a literal silver lining, they struggled to find the happiness in finally crossing off that Olympic achievement. There are plenty of people who feel like Chock and Bates, who have been the face of American ice dance for nearly a decade, were robbed, with teammates vouching for the symbolic mom and dad of Team USA.

‘It’s disappointing to me that they didn’t get the gold,’ said fellow U.S. ice dancer Emilea Zingas, who finished fifth with partner Vadym Kolesnik.

It’s going to take some time to process the result for Chock and Bates.

“There’s so many emotions that come through after a week like this,” Bates said. “I think when things settle, we’ll be super proud and look back on our time here and be happy with everything that was up to us. We really did our best.”

The night was building toward a coronation where Chock and Bates would cement themselves as one of the most successful ice dance pairs to grace the ice. They still did that, even if it wasn’t with a gold medal. Neither have said this is the end of the line for their Olympic careers, Chock being 33 and Bates nearly 37, but it very well could be.

‘I wouldn’t change anything about how we approached each performance. What we delivered in each performance, we really gave it our best,” Chock said. ‘Sometimes that’s just how it shakes out. This is the story for us, and I wouldn’t change anything.”

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Are Madison Chock, Evan Bates retiring? USA ice dancers respond

Sport 4 Mins Read
  • American ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates won a silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
  • The husband-and-wife duo fell just short of the gold, which went to a French pair.
  • Chock and Bates are undecided about their future in the sport following their fourth Olympic appearance.
  • The pair expressed pride in their performance, calling it their ‘gold medal performance’ despite the results.

MILAN  — Madison Chock and Evan Bates are undecided on their future after the American husband-and-wife duo won silver in ice dance at the 2026 Winter Olympics, falling 1.43 points short of gold-medal winners Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France despite turning in a season-best free skate.

When asked if this was their last dance, Bates candidly said, ‘I’m not sure.’

‘We’ve got a lot to be proud of and a lot to be grateful for because we’ve had an incredible career,’ added Chock. ‘Sometimes that’s just how it shakes out. This is this story for us and I wouldn’t change anything.’

Milano Cortina was widely expected to be Chock and Bates’ fourth and final Games. Although the couple didn’t implicitly state they would retire afterwards, Bates said they ‘put all of our effort and emphasis to peak at this event.’

‘Immediately right now it’s really hard to say what the career plans will be, but TBD,’ Bates added. 

Chock and Bates fell short of the ice dance podium at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics with a fourth-place finish, but helped USA win gold in the team event. The pair won three consecutive world championships leading up to the Winter Games and performed both the rhythm and free dance portion of the team event here to help Team USA clinch its second consecutive gold.

All that was missing from their resume was an Olympic medal in ice dance. Chock and Bates turned in a season-best 134.67 in their matador-themed free skate for a total score of 224.39. After their performance, Bates fell to his knees and pounded the ice before sharing a long embrace with his wife. But they had to settle for silver after Beaudry and Cizeron posted a total score of 225.82.

‘It was our gold medal performance. It was the best that we could skate,’ Bates said. ‘It was a personal best score. It was a fourth performance over six days. It took a lot of mental strength and discipline to be locked in and to continue to go out and skate well and we did everything that we could.’

Chock, 33, described the silver-medal win as ‘bittersweet’ as she fought back tears. When asked about being unfairly judged, she said they ‘put out our very best skates every time we took Olympic ice.’

‘All four performances we had here at the Olympics, we’re very proud of. They were flawless for us,’ she reiterated. ‘We couldn’t have skated any better and we’re super proud with how we took the ice, how we handled ourselves every time, and the rest is out of our hands. ‘

Bates, who turns 37 on Feb. 23, said the couple would need time to process the results and reflect on the experience before making any decisions.

‘When things settle we’ll be super proud and look back on our time here and be happy with everything that was up to us,’ he added. ‘We really did our best.’

Only one figure skating duo has competed in five different Games together in Olympic history — Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas of Lithuania competed in the 1992, 1994 , 1998, 2002 and 2006 Games. 

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