Canadian Olympic figure skater provides much-anticipated update on viral homework extension
It didn’t take long for a Canadian Olympic athlete to go viral in Milan.
Figure skater Madeline Schizas had to take care of some business back home before competing at her first Olympic Games. The 22-year-old is attending McMaster University, and had to ask for a homework extension in one of her classes as she competes in Italy.
She shared the email with her professor on social media last week, and it immediately went viral across the Olympics. Schizas spoke with CBC’s Devin Heroux on Saturday, where she talked about becoming an internet sensation so quickly in her second Olympic Games.
“I didn’t expect anyone to really care,” Schizas said with a smile. “I just thought it was really funny… I’m just shooting my shot on this one. You have a lot of free time at the Olympics, I don’t think people realize… I could have sat down and done that [homework], but it was locked.”
In conversation with šØš¦ Maddie Schizas, who has become an internet sensation at the Olympics.
Hereās her answer about her reaction for to her score in the short.
And tells me that she hasnāt heard back from her professor after asking for an extension. Our conversation pic.twitter.com/i3L5MFiojQ
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) February 7, 2026
At the time of the interview, Schizas admitted that she had not heard back from her professor. That seemed to change on Sunday, as she posted to her Instagram story confirming that she did end up getting the extension.
She also marvelled at how intense the Olympic spotlight is when it comes to moments like this.
“Since it seems everyone was quite invested, I did get my extension,” Schizas wrote. “I can’t believe anyone cared so much. Good learning lesson about the spotlight of the Olympics.”
@maddieschizas/Instagram
The Oakville, Ontario native is looking to stay in the headlines. Although she has four gold medals at the Canadian Championships over the past several years, Schizas is looking for her first Olympic medal.
Schizas will get her first opportunity at a podium finish at the figure skating team event final later on Sunday. She is also Canada’s lone figure skater in the women’s singles short program and free skate. The medal events for those will go on Feb. 17 and Feb. 19, respectively.