Seven years after hanging up their skates, Olympic champions Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir remain inseparable in the public’s imagination. But what happens when the ice melts, and the applause fades? Their retirement in 2019 marked the end of an era, not just for figure skating, but for a global phenomenon that transcended the sport. Their electrifying performances, particularly their Moulin Rouge! routine at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, catapulted them into a celebrity stratosphere few athletes ever reach. Media outlets worldwide clamored for their stories, social media buzzed with their every move, and even The Ellen DeGeneres Show couldn’t resist grilling them about their relationship status. (For the record, they’re not a couple—both are happily married with children.)
But here’s where it gets controversial... Their recent sit-down with The Globe and Mail revealed not just the challenges of retiring from a sport that defined their identities, but also their thoughts on a new book by former rival Gabriella Papadakis. Papadakis’s memoir, Pour ne pas disparaître (So as Not to Disappear), has sparked debate, with her candid criticisms of her former partner, Guillaume Cizeron, raising eyebrows. NBC even removed her from a commentator role at the Milan Olympics, citing concerns about her neutrality. Virtue and Moir, however, took a measured approach, acknowledging the emotional complexities of competitive partnerships while emphasizing the vulnerability athletes face under pressure.
And this is the part most people miss... Despite their retirement, the bond between Virtue and Moir endures, though their lives have taken different paths. Moir, now the head coach and managing director of the Ice Academy of Montreal’s Ontario campus, and Virtue, an executive adviser at Deloitte, admit they don’t talk as much as they’d like. Yet, their connection remains unbreakable, with Moir confessing, “I miss Tessa,” and Virtue reciprocating with equal warmth. Their reflections on their iconic Moulin Rouge! performance reveal a mix of pride and perfectionism—they rarely watch it, focusing instead on the memories and the joy of the moment.
But will they ever skate together again? While both insist they’re retired, Moir’s daughter’s innocent question—“Aunt Tessa, are we gonna see you skate together?”—leaves the door tantalizingly ajar. Virtue, whose skates haven’t been sharpened since 2019, admits she’s not sure what she’d do on the ice without Moir. Yet, the possibility of a return, even in a small way, isn’t entirely off the table.
As the Milan Olympic Games approach, Virtue and Moir offer sage advice to Team Canada: stand with conviction, know your country supports you, and remember that perfection isn’t the only measure of success. Moir, preparing for his first Olympics as a coach, plans to channel the wisdom of their own coach, Patrice Lauzon, whose simple message of love and pride meant the world to them.
Thought-provoking question for you: Do you think athletes like Virtue and Moir owe it to their fans to return to the ice, even briefly, or should they be allowed to leave their competitive days behind without pressure? Let us know in the comments!
