Federica Brignone and Italy’s glittering home Games

Federica Brignone and Italy’s glittering home Games with tags olympic games, olympics, olympic, olympic sports, gold, silver, bronze, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, tokyo, tokyo 2020, toyko 2021, beijing, beijing 2022, paris, paris 2024, milano cortina 2026, 2026, milano cortina

A month ago, Federica Brignone wasn’t sure she could even compete at Milano Cortina 2026. Now, the 35-year-old skier is a double Olympic champion.

“I had no pressure because it was already amazing to be here,” Brignone told reporters after her second gold, captured in the giant slalom. “I just tried to enjoy every single moment out of it. I didn't feel the pressure, [which is] crazy because I'm at a home Olympics.”

Brignone has helped spearhead a thrilling hardware haul for the Italians: a record 23 medals, more than their previous best of 20 - at Lillehammer 1994.

Brignone features on the podcast along with another skiing champion, Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, who claimed not only his country’s first Winter Olympic gold - but first winter medal of any colour for all of South America.

Olympics.com producer Alessandro Poggi joins host Nick McCarvel to talk all things alpine skiing, before Nick gets the lowdown from another colleague, Grace Goulding, on all things speed skating - both short and long track.

Plus, Grace sits down exclusively with short track great Apolo Ohno, who discusses Dutch dominance in the two sports - and one of the breakout stars of these Games, 21-year-old American Jordan Stolz.

Relive the best moments from the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, featuring elite athletes, thrilling competition, and unforgettable highlights across the world’s top winter sports on the Olympic stage.

#Olympics #MilanoCortina2026 #Olympics2026

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