The Calgary Stampede has announced Canadian Olympians Courtney Sarault and Mikaël Kingsbury will serve as parade marshals this summer.
Short track speed skater Sarault won four medals during her second Olympic appearance at Milano Cortina 2026 — two silver and two bronze.
Kingsbury, a moguls skier, was Canada’s opening ceremonies flag bearer in Milano.
He went on to become the first-ever Olympic champion in men’s dual moguls, then won a silver in the men’s moguls.
“Courtney and Mikaël embody the passion, perseverance and excellence we celebrate at the Calgary Stampede,” said Stuart O’Connor, Calgary Stampede president, in a news release.
“As world-class athletes who have inspired youth on a global stage, they are fitting ambassadors and we are proud to welcome them as our 2026 Parade Marshals and continue the Stampede’s long tradition of celebrating Canada’s Olympians.”
“It’s a huge honour,” Kingsbury said in an interview with CTV News. “I was very excited when I got the news. It’s going to be a lot of fun!”
“It’s surreal,” Sarault added. “I wasn’t thinking I’d be chosen for something like that.”
Never been to the Stampede before
This year will mark the first time Kingsbury and Sarault have ever attended the Stampede.
“I always wanted to come,” Kingsbury said. “I’m excited to see what the Stampede is all about.”
He says he was golfing when he got the news.
“I was very excited. I’ve heard a lot of things, and I’ve seen many videos about the Stampede, but I’ve never been, so what better way to enjoy my first Stampede.”
Sarault says she has friends in Calgary and sees them post about the Stampede on social media every July.
“I’ve always wanted to go,” she said. “I was thinking, ‘Maybe I should go this year?’ Literally, a couple weeks later, I got the news.
“It sealed the deal; it was meant to be.”
‘A special place in my heart’
Though neither has attended the Stampede before, they’ve both been to Calgary.
“Calgary has always been nice to me; I’ve had a lot of success here,” Kingsbury said. “I had my first World Cup back in 2010, and this is the place where I have the most wins during my career.”
He notes he usually comes to the city in winter months, so experiencing summer in Calgary will be a nice change.
It’s a similar story for Sarault.
“I trained at the University of Calgary at the Olympic Oval there,” she said. “Everyone was so kind.”
Sarault says she “put some really good ice times in” at the rink.
Calgary was also the location of Sarault’s first World Cup — and first World Cup medal.
“Calgary has a special place in my heart,” she added.
Parade preparations
When it comes to preparing for the parade, Sarault says she hasn’t been on a horse in about six years, while Kingsbury says he hasn’t ridden in decades.
“I’m going to do my best to look good,” he laughed.
Sarault says she’s also hoping to perfect her wave.
“Maybe I’ll do some (bicep) curls so I can keep my arm up. We don’t train arms as much in short-track speed skating, so I’m going to have to figure out how to keep my arm up that much.”
Kingsbury says he’s most excited to visit the rodeo.
“I’ve never seen a rodeo live, but it’s always been something on my bucket list.”
While Sarault is also excited about that aspect, her focus is more on the country concerts.
“I love country music,” she gushed. “One of my favourite country artists is going to be performing — Tucker Wetmore — so I could maybe go and try to see a couple songs.”
Parades of the past
More than 100 people have served as parade marshal at the Calgary Stampede over the years, including politicians, Hollywood celebrities, sports heroes and royalty.
Most recently, in 2025, it was country music icon Shania Twain.
Other notable marshals include actor Kevin Costner, musicians Jann Arden and Paul Brandt, Olympian Kaillie Humphries, actor William Shatner, astronaut Chris Hadfield, Man in Motion Rick Hansen, actor Christopher Reeve and Mickey Mouse.
The 2026 Stampede Parade will be held on Friday, July 3.
It serves as the official kickoff of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, which runs from July 3 to 12.
