The Winter Olympics kick off with a grand ceremony at Milan’s renowned San Siro Stadium. Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli will headline the event, drawing millions of viewers to witness Team GB’s promising young athletes. UK Sport anticipates the possibility of securing up to eight medals during the games in Italy.
Taking place across various locations in northern Italy, the 25th winter games will feature celebrations and processions in Predazzo, Livigno, and Cortina d’Ampezzo. Team GB is seen as a strong contender for its most successful medal collection ever, with the current record standing at five from the Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics. Ice skating duo Lewis Gibson and Lilah Fear, likened to the iconic Torvill and Dean, are poised to potentially bring home the nation’s first Olympic figure skating medal since 1994. Lilah Fear, 26, has been selected as the flagbearer for the opening ceremony alongside bobsleigh pilot Brad Hall, 35.
A surge in excitement surrounds Britain’s curling squad, aiming to build on their two medals from 2022, including a gold for the women’s team. Additionally, the country boasts top-notch skeleton athletes in world champion Matt Weston and his close companion Marcus Wyatt.
Among the leading contenders for medals are Mia Brookes, Kirsty Muir – the youngest athlete representing Britain at the Beijing 2022 Games at just 17 – Zoe Atkin, and Charlotte Bankes. Each of these athletes stands a chance to secure the nation’s first Olympic gold or silver medal in snow-related events.
The competition, running until Feb 22 and broadcasted by the BBC, will see close to 3,000 athletes from 90 nations vying for 116 medals at Milan-Cortina. Team GB is sending 53 athletes, with qualification events already underway. Marcus Wyatt is a strong candidate to join Weston on the men’s skeleton podium, having secured World Championship silver behind Weston last year.
Weston and Tabby Stoecker will team up for the mixed team event, while Brad Hall’s two-man and four-man sleds will compete in the men’s bobsleigh. Expectations are high for Team GB’s curlers, with Mouat and Jennifer Dodds participating in the mixed team event. Team Morrison aims to defend the gold medal won by Muirhead’s women’s team in Beijing four years ago.
Furthermore, individual athletes such as Zoe Atkin, Charlotte Bankes, Mia Brookes, Kirsty Muir, Lilah Fear, Lewis Gibson, and Team Mouat in curling are all set to showcase their skills in their respective events at the Winter Olympics.