Team GB's Record-Breaking Ambitions for the 2026 Winter Olympics
As the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina commence on Friday 6 February 2026, Great Britain finds itself in an exceptionally strong position to achieve a historic medal tally. Following a modest performance at the Beijing 2022 Games, where only two curling medals were secured, expectations have soared dramatically. The current Team GB squad boasts multiple reigning world champions across various disciplines, prompting UK Sport to set an ambitious target of four to eight medals. Achieving the midpoint of this range would surpass Britain's previous best Olympic performances of five medals from Sochi 2014 and Pyeongchang 2018.
Kate Baker, UK Sport's director of performance and people, expressed confidence, stating, "We are in the strongest position we have ever been going into a Games from a world championship performance perspective. We know that on the day, anything can happen, but we also recognise that we have extraordinary talent." With this potential for a landmark Games, here are ten British athletes poised to make a significant impact.
Zoe Atkin - Freestyle Skiing
Zoe Atkin, a 23-year-old freestyle skier, is a leading contender for gold in the halfpipe. After a ninth-place finish in her Olympic debut at Beijing, she has dominated the sport, following in the footsteps of her sister Izzy, who won Britain's first Olympic skiing medal in 2018. Atkin is the reigning world champion in halfpipe and shared the overall World Cup crystal globe last season. Her form remains impeccable, with a second X Games gold recently and multiple World Cup medals this season, making her a heavy favourite.
Mia Brookes - Snowboarding
Nineteen-year-old Mia Brookes is set for her Olympic debut with high expectations. Already a world champion and World Cup winner, she became the youngest snowboarding world champion in history in 2023. Brookes has continued her success, winning X Games gold in slopestyle and bronze in Big Air recently. Competing in both events, she has the potential to secure two medals at her first Games.
Kirsty Muir - Freestyle Skiing
Kirsty Muir, 21, has overcome significant adversity, including an ACL injury in 2023, to return stronger. After surgery and rehabilitation, she achieved her first World Cup victory in March 2025. As Team GB's youngest athlete in Beijing, where she placed fifth and eighth, Muir is now in prime form with World Cup wins and X Games medals this season, positioning her for improved Olympic results.
Charlotte Bankes - Snowboard Cross
Thirty-year-old Charlotte Bankes, an Olympic veteran who previously represented France, now competes for GB with gold medal aspirations. Despite a quarter-final exit in Beijing and a collarbone injury requiring two surgeries, she has bounced back with World Cup victories this season. Her mixed team success with Huw Nightingale adds to her medal potential in Milano-Cortina.
Matt Weston - Skeleton
In skeleton, Matt Weston is a standout, having won five of seven World Cup races this season and defending his world champion title. At 28, he is a three-time World Cup overall winner and the favourite for individual gold. Alongside teammate Tabby Stoecker, he is also a strong contender in the mixed team event, continuing Britain's strong tradition in the sport.
Marcus Wyatt - Skeleton
Marcus Wyatt, 34, complements Weston's success, winning the remaining World Cup races and finishing third overall this season. A European champion and world championship runner-up, he has been instrumental in Britain's mixed team World Cup title. After a 16th-place finish in Beijing, his consistent performances make a medal highly anticipated.
Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson - Ice Dance
Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson could end Britain's figure skating medal drought, last achieved by Torvill and Dean in 1994. Known for their energetic pop-themed programmes and technical precision, they have secured multiple European podiums and a world championship bronze in 2023. Ranked among the world's top four teams, an Olympic medal is a distinct possibility.
Bruce Mouat - Curling
Bruce Mouat, skipping the men's curling team, aims to add Olympic gold to his collection of world titles and European championships. After winning silver in Beijing, he is a favourite to upgrade, with additional medal potential in the mixed event alongside Jennifer Dodds, a 2022 Olympic champion.
Brad Hall - Bobsleigh
Bobsleigh pilot Brad Hall, at his third Olympics, leads both two-man and four-man squads. Despite injury challenges, he is Britain's most successful pilot in World Cup history, with recent European and World Cup bronzes. As an outsider for a medal, his experience could yield surprises in Milano-Cortina.
With such a talented roster, Team GB is poised for what could be its most successful Winter Olympics ever, blending veteran expertise with youthful brilliance across a diverse range of winter sports.
