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Apr 20, 2026

Guardian’s Top Winter Olympics 2026 Moments: Triumphs, Disappointments and Future Stars

AI Summary
The Guardian’s contributors highlight the most memorable moments from the Milano‑Cortina 2026 Winter Games, from double golds and breakthrough performances to near‑misses and controversial incidents. They also point to emerging athletes and suggest new events for the upcoming France 2030 Winter Olympics.

Lizzy Yarnold’s Picks

  • Best moment: Matt Weston winning double gold in the mixed‑team skeleton relay.
  • Biggest disappointment: Freya Tarbit and Marcus Wyatt finishing fourth in the GB skeleton relay.
  • Star of the Games: Alysa Liu – figure skater returning on her own terms.
  • Crowd‑pleaser: Jamaican bobsleigh team, matching their 2022 record with three sleds.
  • One to watch for France 2030: Kirsty Muir (GB freeski) and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (Norway cross‑country).
  • New sport suggestion: More dual events and relays.
  • Three‑word summary: Joyful, ambitious, impressive.

Sean Ingle’s Picks

  • Best moments: GB mixed‑team snowboard cross gold, Eileen Gu half‑pipe gold, debut of skimo, Atle Lie McGrath slalom, Andrea Bocelli performance, and the “Penisgate” controversy.
  • Biggest disappointment: Ilia Malinin fell twice yet still won team gold; Kirsty Muir and Mia Brookes missed medals.
  • Star of the Games: Eileen Gu (three medals) and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (six golds). Also noted Vladyslav Heraskevych protest.
  • Crowd‑pleaser: Japanese pair Riku Miura & Ryūichi Kihara, and Mikhail Shaidorov in a panda‑themed gala.
  • Future watch for France 2030: Young Japanese skaters like Rio Nakata and possibly Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
  • New sport idea: Cross‑country running, cyclo‑cross, fell‑running‑style skimo, even volleyball or handball.
  • Three‑word summary: Exhilarating, newsy, fun.

Andy Bull’s Picks

  • Best moment: Matt Weston’s mixed‑team skeleton relay run that clinched GB’s third gold by 0.3 seconds.
  • Biggest disappointment: Green‑washing concerns over “sustainable Games”.
  • Star of the Games: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo – more medals than Great Britain.
  • Crowd‑pleaser: Canadian curler Marc Kennedy and his infamous “fuck off” comment.
  • Future watch for France 2030: Lara Colturi, 19‑year‑old alpine skier poised to win Albania’s first Winter medal.
  • New sport suggestion: Yukigassen (snowball fighting).