Canadian Olympian Madeline Schizas Gets Approval For Her Viral Homework Extension Mid-Games

Madeline Schizas finished sixth among ten in the short program and fifth among five in the free skate during the women’s singles in team event.

Canadian Olympian Madeline Schizas Gets Approval For Her Viral Homework Extension Mid-Games

Madeline Schizas (Image via Reuters)

In Short
  • Madeline Schizas received an extension for her sociology assignment while competing in the Winter Olympics.
  • Her professor, Vic Satzewich, approved the request, praising her performance and encouraging her to focus on the competition.
  • Schizas finished sixth in the short program and fifth in the free skate, contributing to Canada's fifth-place overall finish.

Winter Olympics aren’t a hall pass for missing homework, but an extension is surely deserved, and Madeline Schizas got her’s. Schizas, who’s representing Canada at the Milan Cortina Games in figure skating, is also a student at McMaster University, Ontario, where she’s set to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Environment & Society.

Schizas had mixed up a few deadlines and required an extension to complete her assignment for a course taught by McMaster sociology professor, Vic Satzewich. Schizas mailed Satzewich with a news briefing by Canadian Olympic Association, detailing that she’s currently in Milan to compete for her country.

Satzewich could not deny the request. The moment’s only fitting to be one of the best excuses for an extension. McMaster University shared the reply Satzewich gave to the figure skater, approving the extension. He asked her to focus on the competition and submit the assignment when it’s done, while also praising her triple toe lutz combo.

Vic Satzewich, who has quickly earned the moniker of “cutest professor,” created an Instagram account and posted a single image of himself watching Schizas compete in the women’s short program during the figure skating team event with a caption, “So proud of you Maddie!”

Schizas finished sixth in the short program and fifth in the free skate, while Canada finished fifth overall with 54 points across the qualifying and final rounds.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Satzewich said he wasn’t aware of an Olympian in his 200-member course about race and ethnic relations in Canada. He said that she has never bragged about her Olympic experience and praised her humble and grounded personality.

I respect the fact that she wasn’t using that as a reason to get special treatment or accommodations. Good for her for keeping it under her hat.

Madeline Schizas will have her friends from McMaster to cheer her

The Canadians haven’t won a gold medal in figure skating singles since 78 years ago in St. Moritz, in 1948. Barbara Ann Scott, who was known as Canada’s sweetheart, was the first and only figure skater from Canada to win the women’s singles.

Madeline Schizas
Madeline Schizas (Image via CP24)

Brian Orser, Elvis Stojko, and Patrick Chan came close to winning a gold medal in men’s singles, settling for a silver instead. Their last medal in women’s singles came in 2018 when Kaetlyn Osmond won bronze in Pyeongchang. Madeline Schizas has a big obstacle if she were to bag a medal in the Winter Olympics.

The women’s program has a renewed energy this season with the return of Alysa Liu and the season being Kaori Sakamoto’s last season before retirement. Sakamoto was a force to be reckoned with in both the short program and free dance.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Blade Angels cannot be shrugged off, either. Japan will also have Mone Chiba, who grabbed bronze behind Liu and Sakamoto at the last figure skating World Championships. Lara Naki Gutmann of Italy has also emerged as a medal contender, posting her season best and breaking the 70 for the first time in her career recently at the team event.

In her quest for a medal, Schizas will have quite the support. In addition to her family and relatives, she will also have the support of her friends from McMaster University. Her roommates, Shayla McKeown and Jenna Coulter, are traveling to Italy to cheer its friend.

The trio met three years ago after Schizas, already an Olympian, moved into their Hamilton home after connecting through Facebook Marketplace. McKeown and Coulter were all praise for Schizas when they spoke to CBC News about their upcoming trip.

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