South America shattered a 102‑year Winter Olympic medal drought on Saturday when Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen claimed gold in the men’s giant slalom at the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Games.
The victory marked the first time any South American nation has stood on a Winter Olympic podium, a milestone highlighted by CNN’s live coverage and confirmed in a NBC News report. Braathen’s triumph came after a tightly contested race that saw Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt and Loic Meillard finish second and third, respectively.
After crossing the finish line, Braathen lifted his arms in disbelief, then turned to the microphone and said he hoped the win would “inspire some kids out there that, despite what they wear, despite how they look, despite where they come from, they can follow their own dreams and be who they really are. As that is the real source of happiness in life.”
Born and raised in Oslo to a Norwegian father and a Brazilian mother, Braathen had previously skied for Norway before retiring at 23. A brief trip to Brazil sparked a resolve to return to competition under his mother’s flag, a decision that culminated in his historic gold medal. “I’m not even able to grasp reality, as I stand here right now,” he said after winning his first Olympic medal. “I am just trying to get some sort of emotion here and translate it into words, even though it’s absolutely impossible.”
Jordan Stolz’s Speed‑Skating Surge
While Brazil celebrated its first Winter Olympic medal, the United States added another gold as 19‑year‑aged Jordan Stolz sprinted to a 33.77‑second victory in the men’s 500‑meter speed skating final, leaving the Netherlands’ Jenning de Boo 0.11 seconds behind. De Boo slipped into a boundary after the finish, prompting Stolz to lap the track and wave to the crowd.
Stolz’s win marked his second gold of the Games; he previously set an Olympic record while winning the 1,000‑meter event. He is slated to compete in the 1,500‑meter final and the mass‑start race next week, keeping his quest for four gold medals alive.
Breaking a Century‑Old Drought
Since the inaugural Winter Games in 1924, athletes from South American nations had never secured a medal, a 102‑year span that ended with Braathen’s triumph. The drought had become a statistical footnote, underscoring the region’s limited participation in snow‑based sports.
Braathen’s victory not only rewrote that statistic but also offered a tangible role model for aspiring winter athletes across Brazil, Argentina, Chile and other nations where snow is scarce. The gold medal could catalyze greater investment in training facilities, talent‑identification programs, and international partnerships aimed at nurturing future competitors.
What the Win Means for South American Sport
Sports officials in Brazil have already praised the achievement as a watershed moment. The Brazilian Olympic Committee highlighted Braathen’s success as proof that “with dedication and the right support, athletes from any climate can compete at the highest level.”
the medal arrived amid a broader wave of American dominance at Milan‑Cortina, with U.S. Athletes capturing multiple podium spots in speed skating, moguls and hockey. The juxtaposition underscores how emerging nations can break through even when competing against well‑resourced programs.
Looking Ahead
Stolz will return to the ice for the 1,500‑meter final and the mass‑start event next week, while Braathen’s next appearance is likely in the upcoming alpine events where he will aim to add to his medal haul. Both athletes remain in contention for further golds as the Games progress.
Fans and analysts will continue to monitor how Brazil leverages this historic win to expand its winter sports pipeline. Follow official updates from the International Olympic Committee and national sporting federations for the latest developments.
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