Winter Olympics Day Six: A Tale of Triumph and Controversy in Milan Cortina
The sixth day of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics was defined by a remarkable athletic comeback and a deeply contentious exclusion, capturing global attention and stirring emotions across the sporting world.
Brignone's Inspiring Gold Medal Comeback
For much of the past year, it remained uncertain whether Italian skiing star Federica Brignone would even be able to compete at her home Olympics, let alone challenge for a podium finish. The veteran athlete had suffered a severe leg injury, breaking multiple bones, which required extensive rehabilitation and kept her away from competition for months.
Brignone only made her return to racing last month, making her victory in Thursday's women's super-G event all the more extraordinary. Defying difficult, foggy conditions on the slopes, the 35-year-old skier claimed gold, securing her fourth career Olympic medal and becoming the oldest female gold medalist in the history of Alpine skiing at the Winter Games.
French skier Romane Miradoli captured the silver medal, while Austria's Cornelia Huetter took bronze, completing the podium in an event that showcased both skill and perseverance.
Ukrainian Slider Excluded Over Helmet Protest
As the men's skeleton competition commenced, attention focused not on the athletes racing but on one who was conspicuously absent from the track. Ukrainian slider Vladyslav Heraskevych was barred from competing after refusing to abandon his plan to wear a helmet commemorating athletes killed since Russia's invasion of his homeland.
The International Olympic Committee enforced rules prohibiting political statements on the field of play, leading to Heraskevych's exclusion. IOC President Kirsty Coventry made a last-minute appearance at the sliding track in an attempt to persuade the athlete to change his mind before the competition's opening runs.
Heraskevych, who had been considered a strong medal contender, stood firm in his decision and was consequently removed from the Olympic Games. The athlete described the exclusion as "looking like discrimination," while Coventry, visibly emotional, called it an "emotional morning" and expressed hope for finding a compromise that never materialized.
Other Notable Olympic Developments
In freestyle skiing, Australian competitor Cooper Woods delivered a significant upset by winning gold in men's moguls, narrowly defeating Canadian legend Mikael Kingsbury—the sport's most decorated skier—on a tiebreaker.
American cross-country skier Jessie Diggins overcame bruised ribs to secure bronze in the women's 10-kilometer race, while Swedish athlete Frida Karlsson claimed her second gold medal of the Milan Cortina Games, leading a Swedish one-two finish.
Looking ahead to later events, Italian short-track speedskater Arianna Fontana aims to extend her record with a thirteenth career Olympic medal. Additional medals will be awarded in team luge, men's snowboard cross, and 5,000-meter speedskating competitions.
The day also featured anticipation for American snowboarder Chloe Kim's attempt to become the first athlete to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in women's halfpipe, along with the debut of NHL players on the U.S. and Canadian men's hockey teams as they began their Olympic campaigns.
