Brazil's Pinheiro Braathen Makes History with Winter Olympics Gold Medal
In a stunning and emotional performance, Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen has secured a historic gold medal in the men's giant slalom at the Winter Olympics, becoming the first South American athlete ever to win a medal at the Winter Games. The 25-year-old skier, flanked by Swiss competitors Marco Odermatt and Loic Meillard on the podium, collapsed to the snow in tears as the magnitude of his achievement sank in.
An Emotional Victory with a Powerful Message
"I just hope that Brazilians look at this and truly understand that your difference is your superpower," said Pinheiro Braathen, still visibly emotional after his victory. "It may show up in your skin or in the way you dress. But I hope this inspires every kid out there who feels a bit different to trust who you are."
The Norwegian-born skier, who competes for Brazil through his mother's heritage, delivered a message of self-acceptance and empowerment alongside his athletic triumph. On the back of his helmet, the words "Vamos Dancar" (Let's Dance) foreshadowed the celebratory performance to come.
A Dominant Performance on the Slopes
Pinheiro Braathen established his dominance early with a spectacular first run that gave him a commanding 0.95-second lead over Swiss legend Marco Odermatt. His performance was so exceptional that only seven skiers managed to stay within two seconds of his blistering pace.
Although he lost some of his advantage during a slightly ragged second run, the Brazilian skier maintained his composure to secure the gold medal with a final margin of 0.58 seconds over Odermatt. "It really was one hell of a first run and I was able to keep composed and balanced in the second run," explained the champion.
An Unconventional Journey to Olympic Glory
Pinheiro Braathen's path to Olympic gold has been anything but conventional. Born in Oslo to a Brazilian mother and Norwegian father, he reluctantly took up skiing at age eight after being introduced to the sport by his father. Raised speaking both Norwegian and Portuguese, he represented Norway at the Beijing Games but failed to finish in either giant slalom or slalom events.
In a dramatic turn of events, the skier stunned the sporting world when he split with the Norwegian federation and retired after winning the World Cup slalom title in 2023. He cited restrictions on self-expression and sponsorship freedom as key reasons for his departure from the Norwegian team.
A New Chapter in Brazilian Colors
In 2024, Pinheiro Braathen returned to competitive skiing representing Brazil, the birthplace of his mother Alessandra and where he spent several childhood years. Beyond his athletic pursuits, he has cultivated a significant social media presence with 443,000 Instagram followers, regularly attends fashion weeks in Paris and Milan, and has launched his own skincare product range.
"It was the biggest stage I could put my foot on," he reflected on his Olympic victory. "But I am built for this stage. As I said before these Games started, Brazil is not here to participate. We are going to bring a difference. That was my goal. I've dreamed about this for so long, that if I followed my heart I could finish off on top. And that's why I am an Olympic champion today."
Podium Finishers and Historic Significance
Reigning Olympic champion Marco Odermatt of Switzerland claimed the silver medal, while his compatriot Loic Meillard took bronze. The historic nature of Pinheiro Braathen's victory extends beyond personal achievement, marking a breakthrough moment for South American winter sports and delivering an inspirational message about embracing one's unique identity on the world's biggest athletic stage.
After crossing the finish line, the new Olympic champion sought out his father, Bjorn, for a long embrace, unable to fully articulate the emotions of his unprecedented accomplishment. "You guys keep trying to ask me if I can put words into these emotions but I really can't," he admitted. "This road has really been long. And it's been a rather unconventional one. But it's been my one. It's a road that has been paved with daring to be who I am."
