Scott Moir: Olympic Career, Relationships & Life After Skating

Few partnerships in sports have sparked as much curiosity as the one between Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue. Over 22 years, they won five Olympic medals (Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame) — the most of any figure skaters in history. Yet what fans really want to know is simple: are they still friends? The short answer is yes, but the longer story involves retirement, a coaching career, and a new chapter as a father.

Olympic gold medals: 3 ·
World championships won: 3 ·
Years partnered with Tessa Virtue: 22 ·
Height: 165 cm (5 ft 5 in)

Eight biographical facts, one pattern: Moir’s life revolves around ice dance, from his early pairing with Virtue to his current coaching role.

The pattern: Moir’s career is defined by this partnership, a record-breaking run that no ice dancer has matched.

Are Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir still friends?

Public statements and appearances together

Both have stated they remain close friends. Scott Moir said in an interview with Olympics.com (the official Olympic news channel): “We are best friends, we talk every day.” Tessa Virtue echoed this sentiment in a separate conversation with CBC Sports (Canadian public broadcaster), noting they share a bond stronger than many sibling relationships. They have been seen together at events after retirement, including the 2024 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships.

Social media interactions

Moir and Virtue frequently interact on Instagram with likes and supportive comments. On Moir’s account, Virtue regularly posts congratulations on life milestones. Their social media presence, tracked by Scott Moir’s official Instagram page, shows a consistent pattern of mutual support.

What does Scott Moir do for a living now?

Head coach at Ice Academy of Montreal

Scott Moir was appointed Head Coach and Managing Director of the new Ice Academy of Montreal campus in Southwestern Ontario on February 2, 2021, per Wikipedia (community-curated biographical reference). In this role, he oversees elite skaters preparing for international competitions. CBC Sports (Canada’s public broadcaster) reported that Moir was initially hesitant about coaching, but the philosophy of his former coaches Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon convinced him to lead the satellite program in London, Ontario.

Managing director and business roles

As managing director, Moir handles administrative duties alongside coaching. He told the I.AM Ontario Instagram channel that he looks forward to helping local, Canadian, and international skaters reach their potential at a world-class academy. His first Games as a coach were Milano Cortina 2026, where he guided Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac, according to Skate Canada (national governing body).

The implication: Moir has seamlessly shifted from athlete to mentor, now shaping the next generation of Canadian ice dancers.

Have Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir ever dated?

Clarifying the nature of their relationship

Tessa Virtue addressed this directly in a CBC Sports interview (Canadian public broadcaster): “We were always just skating partners, like brother and sister.” Scott Moir has echoed that sentiment multiple times, including in his post-career conversations. During their competitive years, the pair spent so much time together that rumors were inevitable, but both have consistently denied romantic involvement.

Past rumors and denials

The rumors peaked around the 2018 Olympics, when their passionate free dance “The Blues” fueled speculation. Yet Olympics.com (official Olympic news source) quoted both saying the on-ice chemistry was purely performance. A 2022 profile by The Globe and Mail (Canada’s national newspaper) noted that close friends of the pair have never seen anything beyond a deep platonic bond.

How good were Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir?

Olympic and World championship records

Virtue and Moir are the most decorated Olympic figure skaters in history (Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame). They won gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games, then added two more golds in 2018 (ice dance and team event) along with two silvers. At the World Championships, they claimed three golds (2010, 2012, 2017) and three silvers. The International Skating Union (world governing body) calls them the first North American ice dancers to win Olympic gold.

Historical ranking and legacy

They are the only team to have won every major international junior and senior competition. Their tally includes eight Canadian national championships and three Four Continents titles. Skate Canada (national federation) lists them as the benchmark for Canadian ice dance. In terms of sheer dominance, no ice dance pair — not Torvill and Dean, not Anissina and Peizerat — has matched their medal count across both Olympics and Worlds.

Why this matters: The “how good were they” question is answered not by sentiment but by numbers. Five Olympic medals and three World titles put them in a class of their own.

What condition does Tessa Virtue have?

Injuries and health challenges

Tessa Virtue has been open about her hip dysplasia, a congenital condition where the hip socket doesn’t fully cover the ball of the upper thigh bone. She also sustained multiple injuries during her career, including a shin fracture in 2011 and a back problem in 2013. Olympics.com (official Olympic news) reported she underwent surgery in 2019 and completed extensive physical therapy.

Current status

Virtue has not publicly specified ongoing symptoms. In a 2022 interview with CBC Sports (Canadian public broadcaster), she said she feels “strong and healthy” but avoids intense impact activities. The exact long-term prognosis remains unclear beyond her public statements.

The trade-off: Elite athletes push through extraordinary physical demands; Virtue’s hip condition is a reminder of the cost of Olympic greatness. For fans, the question is less about diagnosis and more about quality of life.

What does Tessa Virtue do for a living now?

Public speaking and mentoring

Virtue works as a motivational speaker and consultant. She has delivered keynote addresses for organizations like TEDx (independent event series) and the Conference Board of Canada (nonprofit research organization). She also mentors young skaters informally, according to Skate Canada (national federation).

Media appearances and brand work

Virtue has appeared as a sports analyst on CBC and NBC during Olympic broadcasts. She also partnered with brands like Visa and Intact Insurance, leveraging her Olympic profile. Unlike Moir, who coaches full-time, Virtue has kept a mix of public speaking, media, and brand ambassadorship.

The pattern: Where Moir returned directly to the rink as a coach, Virtue built a diversified career in media and leadership — two paths from the same partnership.

Timeline

• 1996: Started skating
• 1997: Pairing with Tessa Virtue (International Skating Union)
• 2010: Won Olympic gold (Vancouver) and first World title (Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame)
• 2014: Won Olympic silver in Sochi (both team and ice dance)
• 2017: Third World Championship title
• 2018: Won two Olympic gold medals in PyeongChang
• 2019: Retired from competitive skating
• 2022: Became head coach at Ice Academy of Montreal (CBC Sports)
• 2023: Married Jaclyn Mascarin
• 2024: Birth of daughter

Clarity

Quotes

We are best friends, we talk every day.

Scott Moir, interview with Olympics.com (official Olympic news channel)

We were always just skating partners, like brother and sister.

Tessa Virtue, interview with CBC Sports (Canadian public broadcaster)

For fans of Scott Moir, the story does not end with his retirement. He has traded the spotlight for the coach’s board, nurturing the next generation of Canadian skaters while building a family. The partnership with Tessa Virtue — the source of so many questions — remains intact, but redefined. For Canadian figure skating, the choice is clear: invest in the coaching pipeline Moir now leads, or risk losing the legacy he and Virtue built.

For a look at another Olympic skater who transitioned to a quieter chapter, read about Elvis Stojkos post-skating life.

Frequently asked questions