The 2026 Winter Olympics has delivered yet another heart-wrenching moment for Charlotte Bankes, as the snowboard cross star saw her medal dreams dashed in the quarter-finals. But here's where it gets even more bittersweet: despite being a former world champion with 26 World Cup golds, the Olympic podium remains frustratingly out of reach for this seasoned athlete.
Bankes, competing in her fourth Games, had hoped to finally break her Olympic curse. At 30, she qualified fastest in her heat, but her quarter-final run was uncharacteristically sluggish, leaving her crossing the finish line in last place. It’s a haunting echo of her 2022 Beijing exit, where a crash ended her medal hopes. When asked by BBC Sport about her feelings, Bankes candidly replied, “Lost. I feel like I’ve done exactly the same as four years ago, which is very frustrating.”
Her journey to Milan-Cortina hasn’t been without challenges. Last April, a broken collarbone required surgery, including a bone graft from her hip, after it failed to heal properly. Yet, she arrived at the Games fully fit, having claimed a World Cup gold in China just last month. “I really wanted this one,” she admitted, her disappointment palpable. “It’s a tough one to swallow. I was hoping to put on a better show, but it didn’t work out today.”
And this is the part most people miss: Bankes has just 48 hours to regroup before the mixed team event, where she’ll partner with Huw Nightingale—her 2023 world championship teammate. Can she bounce back? It’s a question that lingers as Team GB’s quest for their first Olympic gold or silver on snow continues.
The Livigno Snow Park hasn’t been kind to Team GB so far. Earlier in the week, freestyle skier Kirsty Muir and snowboarder Mia Brookes both finished fourth, though they’ll return to action soon, alongside halfpipe world champion Zoe Atkin. But here’s where it gets controversial: is it the athletes, the track, or simply the pressure of the Olympics that’s holding Team GB back? Let’s discuss in the comments.
Meanwhile, Team GB’s curling team faced their own heartbreak in Cortina. After a dominant start to the tournament, including a win against Sweden—their 2022 gold-medal match rivals—the British men stumbled in a thrilling match against hosts Italy. A disastrous first end saw Italy steal four points, setting the tone for a nail-biting contest. Despite a valiant fightback, levelling in the ninth end, Italy held firm to win 9-7, leaving the GB curlers visibly devastated.
Lead Hammy McMillan reflected, “We played nine really good ends and controlled it from there, but we just couldn’t do enough to get the win.” With seven wins from nine round-robin matches needed to secure a semi-final spot, Bruce Mouat’s rink remains in contention, though their next match against the Czech Republic on Saturday will be crucial.
The atmosphere in the Cortina Curling Stadium was electric, with Italian fans armed with horns, bells, and whistles. “It’s pretty surreal, pretty cool,” McMillan noted. “It’s not a typical curling crowd—it’s more like a football one. But it’s an amazing atmosphere to play in, and we’re going to have to get used to it and enjoy it.”
As the Games continue, Team GB’s athletes face both physical and mental battles. From Bankes’s quest for redemption to the curling team’s fight to stay in contention, the question remains: What does it take to turn world-class talent into Olympic glory? Share your thoughts below—let’s spark a conversation!
