Age Is Just a Number: Figure Skater Stellato-Dudek’s Comeback at 40
Back on Beijing Grand Prix Ice After 17 Years!

Deanna Stellato-Dudek, once a teen figure skating star, made a jaw-dropping comeback at 40. Years ago, she hung up her skates due to hip injuries. But who knew? The best was still ahead! A simple exercise at a work retreat rekindled her skating dreams. Now, she’s a top contender with her Canadian partner, Maxime Deschamps, in the Beijing Grand Prix Final. Deanna’s motto: “Passion has no age limit.”
Love for the Rink
Stellato-Dudek’s love for skating is stronger than ever. “I can’t wait to hit the ice every day,” she says. This isn’t a childhood hobby anymore; it’s a grown-up love affair with the sport. With her partner, they’ve been unbeatable this season at the Beijing Grand Prix, even outshining world champs!
Once a medical aesthetician, Stellato-Dudek’s bold answer to a retreat question – “Win an Olympic gold” – set her on a new path. She dusted off her old skates and juggled long workdays with early morning practices. Her story is about not breaking the chain towards her goals, even if it meant stretching on a day off.
Other Comeback Athletes
Stellato-Dudek isn’t alone in her late-career surge at the Beijing Grand Prix. Other athletes, like gymnast Gabby Douglas, are making comebacks. Older athletes bring wisdom and self-care to their sports. Deanna’s Olympic dream is alive, aiming for Milan 2026. If she makes it, she’ll join the ranks of history’s inspiring older Olympians.
“Competing at 42, after a 17-year break? That’s a story to tell,” says Stellato-Dudek. “It’s not just about medals. It’s about the journey.”
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