Brad Gushue’s Olympic Dreams End; Focus Shifts to Hometown Brier

UPDATE: Brad Gushue’s Olympic aspirations have come to a sudden halt after a crushing defeat at the Olympic trials in Halifax. In a tense match against Brad Jacobs on Wednesday, Gushue’s team fell short with a 6-3 loss, eliminating them from playoff contention.

With the weight of disappointment, Gushue reflected on a pivotal final shot that could have turned the tide. “I was calling for us to continue to sweep, and we got off the sweep for just a moment,” he told CBC News, highlighting the critical moment of the match. The emotional aftermath saw Gushue visibly shaken, as he squatted with his head in his hands, grappling with the shock of the miss.

Despite this setback, Gushue has swiftly pivoted his focus to his upcoming Brier, scheduled for February 26 to March 8, 2026, in front of his hometown crowd in St. John’s. “We put in the max effort to be as good as we could this week, and it just didn’t pan out,” Gushue said, emphasizing the nature of sports.

This loss marks a significant moment for Gushue, who announced his retirement from competitive curling at the end of this season. “I would have loved to return to the Olympics for a final time,” he expressed, yet remained optimistic about his closing chapter with the Brier.

As a six-time Brier champion, Gushue has long anticipated this event and aims to make the most of it. “Ultimately, we want to win. You know, that’s what we go into every event that we play in trying to achieve,” he stated. The emotional stakes are high, as he prepares for what he describes as a potentially “stressful week” but also a chance to cherish the experience.

In the wake of this defeat, Gushue is rallying support from fans across the country, which he says has made the loss easier to bear. As the curling community turns its focus to the upcoming Brier, anticipation builds for Gushue’s final performance on such a significant stage.

Stay tuned for more updates as Brad Gushue prepares for this monumental event in his career.