Canada's Olympic skaters — of every kind — are in the spotlight

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With just over 100 days until the Beijing Games, the Olympic flame was lit on Monday in Athens and handed over to Chinese organizers today.

Activists disrupted proceedings to protest China's treatment of the Muslim minority Uyghur community, claiming the country is trying to "sportswash" its alleged human-rights violations "with the glamour and veneer of respectability the Olympic Games brings."

And while that story will persist at least until the flame reaches its final destination at the opening ceremony on Feb. 4, the torch-lighting also marks the unofficial start to the Olympic season.

Canada's skaters — in three different sports — are in the spotlight this week.

Women's hockey

Key dates: Games against U.S. women on Oct. 22, Oct. 25, Dec. 20; Games against Alberta junior men's teams on Oct. 29, Nov. 3, Jan. 10; Olympic tournament begins Feb. 3 vs. Switzerland.

What we know: Three goalies (Emerance Maschmeyer, Ann-Renee Desbiens, Kristin Campbell) have already been named to the Olympic team. They're currently centralized in Calgary alongside 26 skaters competing for 22 spots. That group has lost three straight blowout games to junior-A men's hockey teams, including an 8-0 defeat on Monday. But it's also coming off its first world-championship title since 2012 in August thanks to another Marie-Philip Poulin golden goal.

What we don't know: Honestly, not a whole lot. The exact mix of skaters is in question. Beyond that, it's overwhelmingly likely Canada meets the U.S. for Olympic gold on Feb. 17. Historically, Canada's been more successful at the Olympics while the Americans dominated worlds — but that flipped each of the last times the events were held. Finland, the first country other than the two traditional powerhouses to play for a major championship at 2019 worlds, could throw another wrench in the rivalry.

Men's hockey

Key dates: NHL breaks after Feb. 5 all-star game; Olympic tournament begins Feb. 10 vs. Germany; Knockout rounds run from Feb. 16-20.

What we know: Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid and Alex Pietrangelo are officially on the team. The rest of the roster will be debated tirelessly until it's named in January. Canada won gold three of the last four times NHLers have competed, dating back to Salt Lake City in 2002.

What we don't know: If NHLers will for sure attend, since there's still an out for the league if the COVID-19 situation worsens. But if all goes as planned, it appears goaltending could be Canada's biggest weakness, with Carey Price's status unknown after entering the NHL's player assistance program and Marc-Andre Fleury struggling in Chicago. Devils goalie Mackenzie Blackwood would be considered if he didn't have to serve a 21-day quarantine to enter Beijing on account of being unvaccinated. That may leave Blues Stanley Cup hero Jordan Binnington as the top option.

Figure skating