Olympics 2026: Madeline Schizas’ Professor Reacts to Extension Request

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Madeline Schizas isn’t trying to skate by in her college classes.

During her performance at the 2026 Winter Olympics, a Team Canada figure skater discovered she had missed a school assignment deadline. When she emailed her professor to ask for more time, he sent back a kind and supportive reply.

Professor Vic Satzewich wrote in an email posted to Instagram by McMaster University, “Hi Madeline, what a special moment! Given the circumstances, it’s perfectly okay to have an extension. I suggest you focus on the competition right now and submit the work to me directly when you’re finished.”

He wished them good luck, saying the entire nation was supporting them. He then jokingly added that scoring a goal in hockey when he was ten years old had been difficult enough for him.

Madeline, a member of the Canadian team that finished fourth in the team event (where she placed sixth in the women’s singles short program), emailed to ask for a few extra days to finish her work. The United States won gold, Japan silver, and Italy bronze in the team event.

In an email shared on Instagram on February 7th, a student in Sociology 2FF3 requested a brief extension on this week’s reflection paper. She explained that she had been competing in the Olympic Games and mistakenly believed the assignment was due on Sunday instead of Friday.

Alongside the screenshot, the 22-year-old quipped, “LOLLL I [love] being a student athlete.”

Vic, who had just found out Madeline was an Olympian through her email, praised her for sending it.

He told The Wall Street Journal that he admired her for not asking for any special favors or help because of it. He praised her for keeping it private.

The assignment asked students to research how Canadian cities help immigrants integrate, looking at things like jobs and housing, as explained by the professor.

He said this task is effective because it’s difficult for artificial intelligence to complete. However, he also pointed out that it’s a very small assignment and not particularly significant.

As Madeline prepares to compete in the women’s singles short program on February 17th, here’s a preview of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games.

Lindsey Vonn, a U.S. skier, appeared focused during a training session on February 6th, just days after suffering a torn ACL in a crash.

On February 6th, Alysa Liu, representing the United States, performed a Biellmann spin during her short program in the women’s singles skating competition.

Jennifer Dodds of Team Great Britain looked very tense while watching the mixed doubles curling match against South Korea on February 6th.

On February 6th, Snoop Dogg, who is working as an Olympics correspondent for NBC, gave curling a try during a practice session.

On February 6th, figure skating partners Evan Bates and Madison Chock, who are also a couple in real life, delivered a flawless performance during their rhythm ice dance routine.

On February 5th, Laila Edwards, the first Black woman to play hockey for the U.S. in the Olympics, competed against Sara Cajanova of the Czech Republic during the game between the United States and the Czech Republic.

I was really touched watching Valentino Guseli, the Australian snowboarder, share a hug with Jakub Hrones from Team Czechia after their big air qualifying runs on February 5th. It was a great display of sportsmanship and respect between competitors, and a really heartwarming moment to see!

Bulgarian ski jumper Vladimir Zografski hits the brakes during a Feb. 5 training session.

On February 5th, American curler Korey Dropkin celebrated with a shout after his team won against Switzerland in a mixed doubles curling match.

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2026-02-10 18:22