Tessa Virtue facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tessa Virtue CM, OLY
Virtue at the 2018 Winter Olympics
Personal information
Full name	Tessa Jane McCormick Virtue
Country represented	Canada
Born	(1989-05-17) May 17, 1989 (age 36) London, Ontario, Canada
Residence	London, Ontario Toronto, Ontario
Height	1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Partner	Scott Moir
Former coach	Marie-France Dubreuil Patrice Lauzon Romain Haguenauer Marina Zoueva Oleg Epstein Johnny Johns Igor Shpilband Carol Moir Paul MacIntosh Suzanne Killing
Former choreographer	Marina Zoueva Igor Shpilband David Wilson Marie-France Dubreuil Samuel Chouinard
Former skating club	Montreal International School of Skating
Former training locations	Canton, Michigan Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario Ilderton, Ontario
Began skating	1994
Retired	September 17, 2019
World standing	1 (2017–18) 11 (2016–17) 29 (2015–16) 4 (2014–15) 2 (2013–14) 2 (2012–13) 3 (2011–12) 4 (2010–11) 3 (2009–10) 4 (2008–09) 4 (2007–08) 6 (2006–07) 9 (2005–06) 18 (2004–05) 52 (2003–04)
ISU personal best scores
Combined total	206.07 2018 Winter Olympics
Short dance:	83.67 2018 Winter Olympics
Free dance	122.40 2018 Winter Olympics

Tessa Jane McCormick Virtue (born May 17, 1989) is a Canadian retired ice dancer. She is famous for her amazing partnership with Scott Moir. Together, they are two-time Olympic champions (2010, 2018) and three-time World champions (2010, 2012, 2017). They also won a silver medal at the 2014 Olympics.

Tessa and Scott are also Olympic gold medalists in the team event (2018) and silver medalists in 2014. They have won more Olympic medals than any other figure skaters in history. Many people consider them one of the best ice dance teams ever. They are the only ice dancers to win every major international competition in both their junior and senior careers.

Tessa and Scott started skating together in 1997 when they were just seven and nine years old. They quickly became Canada's top ice dance team. In 2010, they made history by becoming the first North American ice dancers to win an Olympic gold medal. They were also the youngest ice dance team to win an Olympic title.

After their first Olympic win, they continued to be top skaters. They won more World Championships and Olympic silver medals. They took a break from skating for two seasons but returned in 2016. They had an amazing undefeated season in 2017, winning another World Championship. At the 2018 Olympics, they won their second individual Olympic gold medal.

Tessa and Scott skated together for over 20 years, making them the longest-standing ice dance team in Canadian history. They were known for their passionate performances and great connection on the ice. They retired from competitive skating on September 17, 2019. In 2020, they were honored with the Order of Canada for their achievements. In 2023, they joined Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

About Tessa Virtue

Early Life and Education

Tessa Virtue was born and grew up in London, Ontario, Canada. She is the youngest of four children. Tessa started skating when she was six years old. She was inspired after a school trip to an ice arena.

When she was nine, Tessa had a chance to join the National Ballet School. But she chose to focus on skating instead. As a child, she also did gymnastics and track. Tessa studied psychology at the University of Windsor. Later, she continued her degree at the University of Western Ontario. In 2020, she started an MBA program at Queen's University. She earned a Master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2023.

Life in Different Cities

In 2004, Tessa moved to Canton, Michigan, in the US. This was to train with coaches Igor Shpilband and Marina Zueva. After the 2014 Olympics, she moved back to London, Ontario. In 2016, she moved to Montreal, Quebec. There, she and Scott Moir were coached by Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon.

Tessa and Scott have often said they are each other's "best friend." Tessa once said, "It’s a special partnership. We both think the world of one another."

Family Life

In early 2023, it was announced that Tessa was engaged to Toronto Maple Leafs player Morgan Rielly. They met through a friend. The couple got married later in 2023. In August 2024, Tessa gave birth to their son.

Tessa and Scott's Skating Journey

Starting Out in Ice Dance

Virtue and Moir began skating together in 1997. Scott's aunt, Carol Moir, who coached them both, put them together. They trained in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. They won the pre-novice title at the 2001 Canadian Championships.

In 2002, they won a bronze medal at the novice level at the Canadian Championships. The next year, they placed seventh in the junior division.

Junior Success and First International Wins

Virtue and Moir at the 2005 Junior World Championships

In 2003–04, Tessa and Scott made their international junior debut. They placed well at events in Croatia and Slovakia. At the 2004 Canadian Championships, they won the Junior title. This qualified them for the World Junior Championships, where they finished 11th. In the summer of 2004, they moved to Canton, Michigan, to train with new coaches.

For the 2004–05 season, they competed at the senior level in Canada but stayed junior internationally. They won gold in China and silver in France on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit. This earned them a spot in their first Junior Grand Prix Final, where they won silver. They placed fourth at the 2005 Canadian Championships. They then won a silver medal at the 2005 World Junior Championships.

In the 2005–06 season, they continued to shine at the junior level. They won both their Junior Grand Prix events and the Junior Grand Prix Final. At the 2006 Canadian Championships, they placed third. This led to their first senior international competition, the 2006 Four Continents, where they won bronze. They became the first Canadian ice dance team to win the World Junior title. They were undefeated in the international junior circuit that season.

Moving to the Senior Level

Virtue and Moir at 2006 Skate Canada International

In the 2006–07 season, Tessa and Scott competed only at the senior level. They made their Grand Prix debut at the 2006 Skate Canada International, winning silver. They placed fourth at the 2006 Trophée Éric Bompard.

At the 2007 Canadian Championships, they won silver. They repeated their bronze medal win at Four Continents. Their first appearance at the World Championships was very impressive, as they placed sixth.

First Senior Titles and World Medals

Virtue and Moir at the 2008 World Championships

For the 2007–08 season, Tessa and Scott won the 2007 Skate Canada International and placed second at the 2007 NHK Trophy. This qualified them for the Grand Prix Final, where they finished fourth.

They won their first Canadian national title at the 2008 Canadian Championships. They then won gold at the 2008 Four Continents Championships, their first senior international victory. They earned a silver medal at the 2008 World Championships in Sweden.

In the 2008–09 season, Tessa had surgery for a medical condition. They had to withdraw from some events. But they still won their second Canadian national title at the 2009 Canadian Championships. At the 2009 Four Continents Championships, they finished second. They won a bronze medal at the 2009 World Championships.

Olympic and World Champions (2010)

Virtue and Moir at the 2010 Worlds

Tessa and Scott had a fantastic 2009–10 Olympic season. They won the 2009 Trophée Éric Bompard and the 2009 Skate Canada International. They also became the first ice dance team to receive a perfect 10.0 score for a program component under the new judging system. They finished second at the Grand Prix Final.

In January 2010, they won their third Canadian national title. At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, they won the gold medal in ice dance. They became the first Canadian and North American ice dance team to win Olympic gold. They were also the youngest dance team to win the Olympics (Tessa was 20, Scott 22). They were the first ice dancers to win gold in their Olympic debut.

After the Olympics, Tessa and Scott competed at the 2010 World Championships. They won their first World Championship title, setting a world record score in the original dance.

Challenges and More Success

Virtue and Moir at 2011 Four Continents

For the 2010–11 season, Tessa had another surgery for pain in her shins and calves. This caused them to withdraw from some events. They made their season debut at the 2011 Four Continents. At the 2011 World Championships, they placed second.

In the 2011–12 season, they won both their Grand Prix events and finished second at the Grand Prix Final. They won their fourth Canadian national title in January 2012. In February, they won their second Four Continents championship. They then won their second World Championship title at the 2012 World Championships.

In the 2012–13 season, they won the 2012 Skate Canada International and the 2012 Rostelecom Cup. They took silver at the Grand Prix Final. They won their fifth national title at the 2013 Canadian Championships. They placed second at both the 2013 Four Continents Championships and the 2013 World Championships.

Sochi Olympics and Break from Skating (2014)

2014 Winter Olympics

Tessa and Scott started their 2013–14 season by winning the 2013 Finlandia Trophy. They also won their two Grand Prix events. They set a world record score at the Grand Prix Final, but it was quickly broken by their training partners.

At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, they won silver medals in both the ice dance and team skate events. After the Olympics, they decided not to compete at the 2014 World Championships and took a break from the sport.

Comeback and More Olympic Gold (2016-2018)

Free dance at the 2016 NHK Trophy

On February 20, 2016, after a two-year break, Tessa and Scott announced their return to competition. They moved to Montreal to train with new coaches. They won gold at the 2016 Skate Canada International. In November 2016, they set new world record scores at the 2016 NHK Trophy. Two weeks later, they broke those records again at the Grand Prix Final in France, winning it for the first time.

At the 2017 Canadian Figure Skating Championships, they won their seventh national title, setting Canadian records. They won their third title at the 2017 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in South Korea. Tessa and Scott broke their own world record short dance score at the 2017 World Championships in Helsinki. They won their third World Championship title, completing an undefeated season.

World record in short dance at 2018 Olympics

Free dance at 2018 Winter Olympics

Free dance at 2018 Winter Olympics

For the 2017–18 season, they chose music from The Rolling Stones, the Eagles, and Santana for their short dance. Their free dance was to the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack. They won the 2017 Skate Canada International and the 2017 NHK Trophy. At the 2017 Grand Prix Final, they finished second.

Tessa and Scott competed at the 2018 Canadian National Championships. They won their eighth national title. On January 16, they were chosen to be the Canadian flag bearers for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. This was the first time a Canadian man and woman carried the flag together.

At the 2018 Olympics, they won gold as part of Canada's figure skating team. This was their fourth Olympic medal, tying the record for most medals won by a figure skater. In the individual ice dance event, they broke their own record score for the short dance. They then won their second individual Olympic gold medal on February 20, 2018. This was their fifth Olympic medal, making them the most decorated Olympic figure skaters in history.

Life After Competition

Books and TV Shows

In October 2010, Tessa, Scott, and writer Steve Milton published a book about their journey called Tessa and Scott: Our Journey from Childhood Dream to Gold. In late 2013, they filmed their TV show, Tessa and Scott, which showed their training for the Olympics. The show aired in January 2014.

Ice Shows and Tours

Tessa and Scott performed in many ice shows, including Stars on Ice in Canada and Japan. They also appeared in shows like Festa on Ice and All That Skate. They co-produced and skated in their own ice skating show, The Thank You Canada Tour, in 2018. Following its success, they co-produced the Rock the Rink tour in 2019.

Other Ventures

In 2015, Tessa Virtue worked with Hillberg & Berk to launch her own jewelry collection. In 2017, BonLook announced a glasses collaboration with Tessa. The BonLook X Tessa Virtue collection was launched in January 2018.

Throughout their careers, Tessa and Scott were sponsored by many Canadian companies like Visa, Air Canada, and Lindt. Tessa also had individual sponsorships with companies like Adidas and Nivea.

Amazing Records and Achievements

These achievements are shared with Scott Moir.

Olympic Records

• They are the most decorated figure skaters in Olympic history.
• They are the fourth most decorated Canadian Olympians ever.
• They are the first and only team to win ice dance gold in their first Olympics.
• They are the youngest team to ever win ice dance gold at the Olympics.
• They are the first and only ice dance team to win Olympic gold on home ice.
• They were the first ice dance team from North America to win Olympic gold, ending Europe's 34-year winning streak.
• They are the first former junior world champions to win Olympic gold in ice dance.
• They are the first figure skaters in 38 years to win three Olympic golds.
• They are the second ice dance team to win three Olympic medals in ice dance.
• They are the second ice dance team to win two individual Olympic gold medals. They are the first to do it in non-consecutive Olympics.
• They were the first duo to carry the Canadian flag at an Olympic opening ceremony.

World Record Scores

• They were the first ice dance team to receive a 10.0 for a program component score under the new ISU Judging System.
• They were the first team to receive four 10.0s from the judges in any figure skating discipline.
• They were the first team to break the 80-point mark in the short dance in an international competition.
• They hold the record for the highest technical score in a short dance with 44.53, set at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
• They hold the historical record for the original dance.

General Achievements

• They are the first and only ice dance team to achieve a Career Super Grand Slam. This means they won all major ISU championship titles in both junior and senior levels.
• They are the only ice dance team to win world championship titles and Olympic golds under both the old and new judging systems.
• They are the most decorated Canadian ice dance team ever.
• They are the longest-standing ice dance team in Canadian history.
• They are the first Canadians to win the Junior World Championship.
• They are the first and only ice dance team to win the World Championship and Grand Prix Final as both seniors and juniors.
• They are three-time senior world champions.
• They are eight-time Canadian senior ice dance champions.
• They had the highest senior debut at worlds for an ice dance team.

Awards and Honours

Exhibition gala at 2018 Olympics

• In 2010, Tessa and Scott were inducted into the London (ON) Sports Hall of Fame. This was unusual because they were still early in their careers.
• In December 2017, CBC honored them as the Canadian Olympic athletes of the year.
• In May 2018, they received the Partnership of the Year award at the Sports Québec gala.
• After the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, ESPN named Tessa Virtue one of the most famous female athletes in the world.
• In December 2018, Tessa and Scott were inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.
• On October 23, 2019, The University of Western Ontario gave Tessa and Scott honorary Doctor of Laws degrees.
• On November 27, 2020, the Governor General of Canada named Tessa and Scott as Members of the Order of Canada.
• In 2023, they were inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.

Programs and Performances

Lift during Moulin Rouge! free dance at 2018 Olympics

Latin short dance at 2018 Olympics and world record

Free dance at 2016 Grand Prix Final

Short dance at 2016 Grand Prix Final

Short dance at 2011 Worlds

Original dance at 2010 Worlds

Lift "the Goose" during free dance at 2009 Four Continents

Tessa and Scott were known for their amazing programs and performances. They used a variety of music styles for their short dances, original dances, and free dances. Their exhibition programs were also very popular.

Some of Their Famous Programs

Competitive Highlights Summary

This table shows Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir's main competitive results.

Images for kids

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  Third World Champions title (2017)

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  Free dance lift at 2017 Worlds

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  First Grand Prix Final win (2016)

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  Medal ceremony at 2016 Grand Prix Final

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  Silver medal at 2014 Winter Olympics

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  Short dance at 2014 Winter Olympics

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  Second World Champions title (2012)

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  First World Champions title (2010)

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  Virtue / Moir with 2010 Olympic gold medals

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  First Olympic Champions title (2010)

See also

In Spanish: Tessa Virtue para niños