UK Sport has today set out its medal ambitions for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, which reflect the hugely competitive nature of British athletes heading to Italy this winter.
For the Olympic Games, UK Sport believes that British athletes have the potential to bring home 4 – 8 medals and for the Paralympic Games it is anticipated that 2 – 5 medals could be won.
The ranges reflect the fact that Team GB and ParalympicsGB will head to Milan Cortina with athletes who are more competitive in more sports at a Winter Games that ever before.
British athletes are set to be in contention for medals throughout the Olympic Games, providing a huge opportunity for a new generation to engage with our winter sport heroes.
Whilst winter sport is full of jeopardy, making it hard to predict, the middle point in the Olympic range would reflect GB’s best performance at a Winter Olympic Games in history and there is cautious optimism that GB athletes have the potential to deliver that feat.
The most medals won by Team GB at an Olympic Winter Games is five, a landmark achieved at Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018.
For the Paralympics, challenges throughout the cycle with injury and international competition opportunities mean that the overall range is slightly lower than for Beijing 2022, although the team is still expected to be medal competitive across a wide range of disciplines.
The setting of a medal range, rather than a specific target, is done in collaboration with sports. It is important given the significant amounts of public money which are invested into GB’s winter sports and athletes.
Thanks to the continued unwavering support of The National Lottery and the UK Government, UK Sport has invested over £32.5 million in winter sports across the four years of this winter Olympic and Paralympic cycle to support athletes in their journeys to Milan Cortina. This investment reflects UK Sport’s ambition for the UK to become an ever-greater force in winter sport.
The quality of the British teams heading to the Games is all the more exciting given the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games return to a western European time zone for the first time in nearly 20 years.
This means more British eyeballs on the action, increased opportunities for the British public to engage with the Games and more scope for athletes to reach, unite and inspire people across the country with their performances.
From Torvill and Dean to Rhona Martin’s Stone of Destiny at Salt Lake City 2002 and from Ski Sunday to Dancing on Ice, winter Olympic and Paralympic sport has a special place in the hearts of the British public.
This love affair continues, with the latest results from UK Sport’s regular survey of the British public showing that support for investment in winter sports and athletes is as strong as it is for their summer counterparts. More than two thirds of British people are in favour of the financial support provided.
Dr. Kate Baker, Director of Performance and People at UK Sport said:
“There is nothing quite like a winter Olympic and Paralympic Games and I am hugely excited about the potential our British athletes have to reach, inspire and unite the British public at Milan Cortina 2026, particularly given this is a first winter Games on a western European time zone for nearly two decades.
“Our medal ranges reflect the fact that British athletes are arriving at the Games in hugely competitive form with enormous potential to deliver memorable, extraordinary sporting moments for the British public to enjoy.
“Supported steadfastly by The National Lottery, the UK Government and by the amazing, talented, dedicated support teams within their National Governing Bodies, our athletes have been working incredibly hard to prepare for these Games.
“Now is their chance to pursue their dreams on the biggest stage and I can’t wait to join millions of people across our country in cheering them on.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:
“The Winter Olympics and Paralympics have delivered some iconic moments in our national sporting story, from Torvill and Dean in Sarajevo to Eve Muirhead leading Team GB to that incredible curling gold and ParalympicsGB skier Neil Simpson becoming Great Britain’s first ever male athlete to win gold on snow four years ago.
“Milan Cortina 2026 promises to be another incredible event and I cannot wait to cheer our British athletes on in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. I know how hard they’ve worked to get here and I know they’ll do themselves and our country proud.”
Eve Muirhead OBE, Team GB’s Chef de Mission for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games said:
“We’ve been meticulous in our preparations for Milano Cortina 2026. I know first-hand the difference the right environment can make at an Olympic Games, and our focus has been on creating the conditions that allow athletes to deliver when it matters most.
“The potential within this team is exceptionally high, and while we don’t always benefit from the same ease of access to snow and ice as some of our rivals, when I look at the class of 2026, I see a real opportunity to challenge the status quo. Our athletes are focused, driven and hungry to succeed, and our responsibility is to put the right foundations in place so every one of them can perform to their potential. We are heading to Italy as a credible force across more disciplines than ever before, and I’m excited to see the nation get behind them.”
Phil Smith, ParalympicsGB’s Chef de Mission for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games said:
“ParalympicsGB will be represented across five sports, with an exciting mix of experienced Paralympians and Games debutants already selected and the full team set to be confirmed next month.
"I am confident we have a plan in place to give each and every athlete the best possible chance to deliver incredible performances that will excite and enthral the British public.
“With the Paralympic Winter Games taking place close to home and in a European time zone, Milano Cortina 2026 presents a fantastic opportunity for ParalympicsGB’s talented athletes to show fans – whether in Italy or supporting from back home – just how captivating and thrilling Winter sports can be.”