COB: Brazil finishes Winter Games on a golden note

The Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) said Brazil concluded its participation in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, held in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina, on a golden note. In a statement issued on Sunday (Feb. 22), the committee noted the highlight of Brazil’s campaign was Lucas Pinheiro Braathen’s gold medal in the giant slalom - the country’s first medal at an edition of the Winter Games.

“We started strong, increasing both the number of athletes and the size of our delegation. And we truly finished on a golden note, winning Brazil’s first Olympic medal at the Winter Games - a gold medal, no less,” celebrated the president of the COB, Marco La Porta.

“Brazil and I weren’t at the Winter Olympics just to participate. We were here to make a difference - to bring our colors, a different mentality, a different culture, and to celebrate the diversity of Brazil and of sport. I believe this gold represents the strength found in that diversity,” said Lucas Pinheiro Braathen.

At the major sporting event held in Italy, which concluded on Sunday, Brazil fielded its largest-ever delegation at a Winter Olympic Games, with 14 athletes.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also celebrated the Winter Games in Cortina and Milan. In a speech ahead of the closing ceremony, IOC President Kirsty Coventry described the event as fantastic.

“Over the last two weeks, we have seen and experienced incredible games. I have no words,” said Coventry, who presided over her first Winter Olympic Games following her election last year.

* Based on information from Reuters news agency.