Balancing elite sports with college life can feel impossible at times, yet Canadian figure skater Madeline Schizas just turned it into something delightfully relatable. The 22-year-old from Oakville, Ontario, is competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, and she recently shared a screenshot of an email she sent to her sociology professor. In the message, she politely requested an extension on an assignment, attaching proof of her Olympic participation as the ultimate excuse. Her Instagram caption, full of laughter about loving life as a student-athlete, quickly caught fire online.
Schizas posted the screenshot without expecting much attention. She admitted in an interview with CBC that it simply struck her as funny at the moment. The professor had not replied yet, which she chalked up to it being a Saturday. Still, she remains optimistic, saying she is just trying her luck with the request.
What makes the story even more endearing is her honesty about the situation. Competing on the world’s biggest stage does not mean constant activity, and Schizas pointed out that athletes often have unexpected free time. On the day she wrote the email, her schedule stayed clear until late afternoon, giving her plenty of opportunity to finish the work. Things had simply piled up, and she decided to ask for a little grace.
This is Schizas’s second Olympic appearance after debuting in Beijing in 2022, where she placed 18th in women’s singles. At home, she studies at McMaster University, an institution that has consistently supported her dual path. The university once released a video highlighting how she manages intense training alongside coursework. In it, Schizas praised her professors for their genuine interest in her skating career and the flexibility they offered.
In conversation with 🇨🇦 Maddie Schizas, who has become an internet sensation at the Olympics.
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) February 7, 2026
Here’s her answer about her reaction for to her score in the short.
And tells me that she hasn’t heard back from her professor after asking for an extension. Our conversation pic.twitter.com/i3L5MFiojQ
Her lighthearted post resonates because it humanizes the Olympic experience. Behind the glittering performances and medal ceremonies, athletes juggle the same everyday pressures as other students. Deadlines do not pause for opening ceremonies, and assignments still loom even when you are halfway around the world representing your country. Schizas’s email reminds everyone that even Olympians sometimes need an extension.
The viral moment also shines a spotlight on the unique challenges student-athletes face. Supportive faculty and understanding policies can make all the difference, as Schizas has experienced at McMaster. Her story celebrates the professors who go the extra mile and the athletes who keep pushing on both the ice and in the classroom. It is a feel-good reminder that a little humor and honesty can turn a routine request into something millions smile about.
Have you ever balanced big dreams with school deadlines, or had a memorable excuse for a late assignment? Share your own stories in the comments.
