Team GB aims for its most successful Winter Olympics yet at the upcoming Milano Cortina Games. UK Sport, which supports Olympic and Paralympic sports in the UK, anticipates between four to eight medals in northern Italy.
The best Winter Games performance for Britain was at Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018, where they secured five medals, including one gold. Nevertheless, Team GB officials are setting even higher expectations this time around.
The optimism is fueled by the caliber of the Team GB athletes heading to Italy, including world champions, X Games gold medalists, and World Cup podium finishers. In the 2024/25 season, Britain’s winter athletes earned nine World Championship medals in various sports.
British skiers and snowboarders achieved 28 major podium finishes in Olympic events, garnered three Crystal Globes (overall World Cup titles), and saw Zoe Atkin claim a World Championship crown. Eve Muirhead, the chef de mission and curling gold medalist in 2022, emphasized the meticulous preparations and potential within the team for challenging the status quo in 2026.
With high expectations set for Team GB in various disciplines like men’s skeleton, curling, skiing, and snowboarding, Mirror Sport delves into the top contenders for securing medals in Italy.
Double men’s skeleton world champion Weston dominated the World Cup circuit, securing three consecutive overall titles and leading the rankings. Muir, a two-time World Cup gold medalist, showcased her prowess in slopestyle and big air events. Brookes, the youngest snowboarding world champion, is a strong contender for gold or silver at the Olympics. Atkin, the current halfpipe world champion, has been consistent on the World Cup circuit, clinching podium finishes.
Bankes, a world champion and Crystal Globe winner, is expected to shine in mixed team events, while figure skaters Fear and Gibson aim to bring home Britain’s first Olympic medal in figure skating since 1994. Mouat’s British curling team, reigning world champions, is poised to build on their silver medal from 2022.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games will run from February 6-22, with over 850 hours of live action available on discovery+ via Prime Video. Fans can enjoy comprehensive Olympic coverage through the £3.99 discovery+ Entertainment subscription, providing access to TNT Sports 2 for continuous updates throughout the games.
