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Canada has officially revealed the two athletes who will carry the nation’s flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The honour goes to freestyle skiing icons Mikaël Kingsbury and Marielle Thompson, two of the country’s most decorated Winter Olympians.
The announcement was widely expected, with both athletes enjoying remarkable Olympic careers spanning more than a decade. According to CBC Olympics, “They will march with their freestyle skiing and snowboard teammates in Livigno, with the parade of nations also being held in Milan’s San Siro Stadium and the mountain clusters of Cortina and Predazzo simultaneously in the most spread out Games in Olympic history.” The unique format means the Opening Ceremony will take place across several venues, making Milano Cortina 2026 unlike any Winter Olympics before it.
Marielle Thompson celebrates her ski cross victory in Veysonnaz, Switzerland, with the traditional Swiss cowbell trophy. | Image: Supplied / Alpine Canada
For Mikaël Kingsbury, the honour adds another important moment to an amazing career. The 33-year-old is known as the best moguls skier ever and one of the most successful freestyle skiers in the sport’s history. He won silver medals at Sochi 2014 and Beijing 2022, before winning gold at PyeongChang 2018. Milano Cortina 2026 is expected to be his last Olympic Games, making the chance to lead Team Canada even more special.
Marielle Thompson has had an equally impressive Olympic career over the last three Winter Games. The 33-year-old won gold in the women’s ski cross at Sochi 2014 and added a silver medal at Beijing 2022. Although she just missed winning a medal at PyeongChang 2018, her performance was even more impressive, as she competed only 4 months after surgery to repair a torn ACL and MCL, showing the strength and determination that have shaped her career.
Mikaël Kingsbury celebrates his silver medal in the men’s moguls event at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, holding the official Games mascot. | Image: Canadian Olympic Committee
Reflecting on being selected as one of Canada’s flag bearers, Thompson said, “Being asked to carry the Canadian flag is one of the highest honours in my Olympic journey. There are so many amazing athletes to select from, so to be chosen is really kind of unbelievable, but just very special. Mikaël and I have been to each Olympics together, and we’re the same age, so we’ve kind of come up together in this sport. I think we’ve definitely got some camaraderie, and it’s very cool to be sharing this honour together.”
With two Olympic champions leading the delegation, Team Canada will enter Milano Cortina 2026 represented by athletes who have consistently delivered on the world’s biggest stage. Their shared experience, success and leadership make them fitting choices to carry the Maple Leaf as Canada begins another Winter Olympic campaign.
Fans won’t have to wait long to watch the historic moment unfold. Live coverage of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. PT / 1:30 p.m. ET and will be available on CBC, CBC Gem, CBC News Network, Sportsnet and TSN.
Elias Albay is the Founder and Director of Many Men Magazine, a Toronto-based digital publication dedicated to promoting modern masculinity through style, culture, and self-improvement. What started as a personal turning point became a purposeful platform. — born from Elias’ desire to create something meaningful after completing his studies and finding no career path that truly matched his ambitions. With a background in Civil Engineering from York University and experience in Commercial Flight Operations at CAE, he applied skills, and resilience from both fields to forge a new path.
Our team of editors and experts carefully selects each product. If you choose to purchase through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more. Do you want to know how we test products? Click here for more details.
When it comes to performance coupés, few brands carry the weight that Mercedes-AMG does. Over the years, AMG has built a legacy of creating powerful and stylish two-door cars based on the C-Class and E-Class — the kind of vehicles that make an impression even before you hit the throttle. But for 2025, the brand is turning the page with something entirely new: the Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé.
Instead of offering separate C-Class and E-Class Coupés, AMG fuses the spirit of both into a single model — and it’s no half-measure. Sitting low, wide, and ready to pounce, the CLE 53 displays a more aggressive stance while housing an updated mild-hybrid six-cylinder engine under the hood. It’s engineered to combine the effortless performance AMG is known for with the modern technology, efficiency, and sharper styling that today’s drivers expect.
This is more than just a fresh face on familiar bones. The CLE 53 brings a completely reimagined package to the road: a new chassis, an updated look, and a renewed focus on ensuring the drive feels as good as it appears. AMG understands it’s a bold move, and they’ve equipped this coupé with all the right tools — powerful performance, sophisticated interiors, and that signature AMG edge — to guarantee it lives up to the name.
Highlights:
The 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupé replaces the C-Class and E-Class AMG Coupés, heralding a new performance era.
Bold New Look Featuring a Wider Stance, AMG Grille, and 21-Inch Forged Wheels.
Driver-centric cabin with Digital Displays, Leather Seats, Carbon Trim, Burmeister Sound, Wireless Charging, and 360° Safety Tech.
Starting at around €91,500 (approximately USD $100,000 ) — blending AMG heritage with next-gen style, power, and innovation.
Underneath the hood, the 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé features an enhanced 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine, delivering 330 kW (449 horsepower) and 560 Nm of torque — with a brief over-boost function that extends this to 600 Nm for those exhilarating bursts of extra performance. Paired with a 9-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission, this setup ensures that every gear change feels crisp, fast, and responsive — significantly improved over previous generations.
The 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive comes standard, providing the CLE 53 with the adaptable grip expected from a modern AMG. Loyalists worried about AMG losing its edge without a V8 under the hood need not be concerned. Despite the transition to a six-cylinder, Mercedes has worked diligently to preserve the soul of AMG. The AMG ‘Real Performance Sound’ system channels a deep, throaty exhaust note into the cabin, delivering that familiar, raw soundtrack you expect when pressing the gas pedal.
Another key upgrade is the addition of rear-axle steering, which enhances the CLE’s handling, particularly at higher speeds. Whether weaving through highway traffic or navigating mountain roads, the car feels tighter, more connected, and noticeably more agile than its size might imply.
Real-world feedback highlights how beautifully balanced the CLE 53 feels — it’s comfortable and composed when desired, yet when pushed harder, the brutish, old-school AMG personality shines through. It’s a car that can cruise in luxury one moment and snap your head back the next — exactly what an AMG badge demands.
Stepping inside the 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé, it becomes clear that this is not only about speed — it’s about crafting an experience. The cabin perfectly balances a performance-focused design with high-end luxury, enveloping you in materials and technology that feel as refined as the car’s aggressive exterior suggests.
Front and center is a free-standing 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster that offers sharp, customizable displays to keep the driver informed and in control. Just below it, an 11.9-inch central touchscreen in portrait format tilts slightly toward the driver, making everything from navigation to media settings easily accessible without breaking focus. The layout feels modern, immersive, and unmistakably AMG.
The seats stand out on their own, finished in black leather with AMG-specific graphics and bold red topstitching. They not only look good — they’re heated, electrically adjustable, and designed to hold you firmly in place whether you’re carving corners or cruising comfortably. Glossy carbon fibre trim, a full 64-colour ambient lighting system, and dark-tinted privacy glass from the B-pillar back contribute to the cockpit’s serious yet sophisticated vibe.
As expected from Mercedes-AMG, the equipment list is impressive. Standard features include dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, a panoramic sliding sunroof, DAB+ digital radio, and an incredible Burmester 3D surround sound system that transforms the cabin into a rolling concert hall. You’ll also find a head-up display that projects key information directly onto the windshield, keeping your eyes focused where they belong — on the road.
Safety hasn’t been overlooked either. The CLE 53 comes equipped with 10 airbags, a 360-degree camera, Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC, adaptive cruise control with active distance assist, active lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign assist, and PRE-SAFE® — Mercedes’ accident anticipation system. Evasive steering assist is also included, providing additional support if a split-second maneuver becomes necessary.
For a car that seamlessly combines AMG performance, cutting-edge technology, and everyday luxury, the 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 4MATIC+ Coupé comes with a price tag that aligns with its ambitions. Official pricing starts at around EUR €91,500 in Europe, with final figures for other markets — including the U.S. — expected to be approximately USD $100,000 once fully equipped with popular options.
As with any AMG model, how much you actually pay will depend on how adventurous you are with the options list. Packages such as the AMG Night Package, AMG Carbon Package, along with upgraded wheels, brakes, and interior options can easily elevate the price. However, even in its standard configuration, the CLE 53 comes equipped with luxury, safety technology, and performance features that make it feel genuinely special from the start.
Given what you’re receiving — a fully reimagined two-door coupé with bold styling, impressive performance, and genuine everyday usability — the CLE 53 is not simply another new model. It represents a new chapter for Mercedes-AMG’s coupé lineup and is priced accordingly.
Elias Albay is the Founder and Director of Many Men Magazine, a Toronto-based digital publication dedicated to promoting modern masculinity through style, culture, and self-improvement. What started as a personal turning point became a purposeful platform. — born from Elias’ desire to create something meaningful after completing his studies and finding no career path that truly matched his ambitions. With a background in Civil Engineering from York University and experience in Commercial Flight Operations at CAE, he applied skills, and resilience from both fields to forge a new path.
