Livigno, Italy – The Australian team is celebrating a historic Winter Olympics and the Games culminated in a particularly poignant moment for two of its stars. Freestyle skier Danielle Scott, fresh off winning a silver medal in the women’s aerials event, and speed skater Kai Woods have been jointly named as Australia’s flag-bearers for the closing ceremony. The honor recognizes not only their individual achievements but also the broader success of the Australian contingent at the Milano Cortina Games.
Scott’s silver medal, secured on February 18th, ended a 12-year drought for Australia in aerial skiing, a discipline where Lydia Lassila and David Morris previously claimed medals in 2014. Her score of 102.17, achieved with an immaculate back Full-Full-Full jump, narrowly edged out Chinese competitors Shao Qi and Kong Fanyu. China’s Xu Mengtao took gold in the event, scoring 112.90. The significance of Scott’s achievement extends beyond the medal itself; it marked the sixth medal for Australia at these Games, a record-breaking performance for the nation in Winter Olympic competition. The date also held special resonance, falling exactly 24 years after Alisa Camplin-Warner’s gold medal win in Salt Lake City, making her Australia’s first female Winter Olympic champion.
The selection of Scott and Woods as flag-bearers is a testament to the team’s overall success. Scott expressed her elation, stating, “To have the most successful team ever for Australia at the Winter Olympics is huge. To be able to contribute to that too, my dreams are coming true and these Games are even more special now being named the flag bearer.” She emphasized the strength and competitive spirit of the Australian team, adding, “This Australian team is so special. The athletes that will march out behind us, have got everything going for them right now… We’re fierce competitors, and we’ve shown the world that.”
Danielle Scott with her silver medal.Credit: Getty Images
Building on Success: Looking Ahead to 2030
The success in Milano Cortina isn’t just about the medals won; it’s about the foundation being laid for future competitions. Alisa Camplin-Warner, chef de mission for the Australian team, highlighted the importance of continued investment in facilities. She pointed to the water ramp in Brisbane and the training center in Jindabyne as key components in the athletes’ preparation, noting that these investments are “starting to pay off in the way of gold medals at these Games.” Camplin-Warner emphasized the need for strategic planning, stating, “I think the planning almost starts straight away, and that is [by] stopping and listening.”
That listening phase, she explained, involves assessing what worked well over the past four years and using those insights to set ambitious 10-year goals. “We need to hear what went well in these last four years and in this Olympic campaign…we’re at a point I think, as a winter sports industry, that we need to set some pretty lofty 10-year goals, and then we need to function back and put the componentry in place that will get us there.” Australia is already looking ahead to the 2030 Winter Olympics, with the French Alps as the proposed host region. The current momentum and strategic focus suggest a continued commitment to excellence in winter sports.
Danielle Scott’s journey to the podium is a compelling story of dedication and perseverance. Representing Australia in the Olympic Winter Games since 2014, including appearances in Sochi, Pyeongchang, and Beijing, Scott’s silver medal represents a career highlight. According to information from Wikipedia, Scott was even offered a scholarship for Artistic Gymnastics at the Australian Institute of Sport at the age of 7, demonstrating her early athletic promise. Her consistent performance on the World Cup circuit, with 27 individual podiums and 9 individual wins, underscores her status as a world-class athlete. The 2026 Milano Cortina Games, however, proved to be her most rewarding yet.
A Record-Breaking Games for Australia
The 2026 Winter Olympics have been undeniably successful for Australia. The team’s performance has not only secured a record number of medals but has also generated significant national pride. The broadcast of the Games on the Nine Network, 9Now, and Stan Sport has brought the excitement to a wider audience, further fueling the enthusiasm for winter sports within the country. The success of athletes like Danielle Scott and Kai Woods is inspiring a new generation of Australian athletes to pursue their dreams on the world stage.
As the Games draw to a close, the focus shifts to building on this momentum. The Australian Olympic Committee will undoubtedly be analyzing the results and identifying areas for improvement. Continued investment in training facilities, athlete development programs, and strategic planning will be crucial to maintaining Australia’s competitive edge in future Winter Olympic Games. The next steps involve a thorough review of the campaign and the formulation of long-term goals to ensure continued success in the years to approach.
The closing ceremony, with Scott and Woods leading the Australian delegation, will be a celebration of their achievements and a symbol of the nation’s growing strength in winter sports. The success in Milano Cortina is not just a moment in time; it’s a springboard for future triumphs.
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