Heroism and heartache mark the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics
Early heroes in Australia’s Milano Cortina campaign include Valentino Guseli, who qualified for the men’s big air final in breathtaking style, and Scotty James inspiring with Love, Actually
READING LEVEL: GREEN
The 2026 Winter Olympics have already seen some major thrills and spills in Milano Cortina, Italy. From American Winter Olympics icon Lindsey Vonn being rushed to hospital, to the crowd-funded Swiss skier Franjo Von Allman winning gold in the men’s downhill, it has been a heart-stopping show so far.
Vonn underwent surgery after breaking her leg in a high-speed crash during Sunday night’s downhill. Vonn had been trying to claim the fourth Olympic medal of her career, despite suffering a ruptured* ACL* in her left knee just over a week ago. Her race ended in agony after just 13 seconds in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Von Allman meanwhile triumphed after tragedy: supported by public donations in his native Switzerland after the death of his father, the Swiss sensation pipped his countryman at the post with his blistering golden run.
Australia’s newest star Valentino Guseli’s fairytale big air outing at the Winter Olympics came to an end after he missed out on a medal in Sunday morning’s final.
Guseli won the heart of the nation when he qualified for the final after getting a late call up to the big air as the Games got underway.
The pressure was intense in the final, as the snowboarders needed the highest possible combined scores from their best two runs out of three attempts to have a crack at getting on the podium.
Guseli had a rough landing on his first run, scoring 23.00, but he recovered to score an impressive 86.75 on his second run — pulling off a switch back side 1980 tail grab, the same move that qualified him for the final.
The run gave the 20-year-old with a serious shot at a medal, and he went for the backside 1980 on his third and final run but fell on the landing and slid on his back, giving him a score of 16.50.
“He’s got the half-pipe to come and was bonus points,” Australian Olympic champion Torah Bright said on Channel 9.
“This gave the whole of Australia the excitement we needed to just get our toes into the Winter Olympics. And here we are. Val. Thank you. Thank you the show.
“If I was Val’s mum and dad, I would just be so proud.”
Nine commentator Mitch Tomlinson said: “Heartbreaking for Val, nonetheless, you’ve warmed the hearts of the whole of Australia.”
“I left it all out there and I have no regrets,” Gueseli said after the final.
“I had a lot of personal wins out there today. I did the trick that I ruptured my ACL on for the first time since I did my ACL, which is a massive personal win for me.
“I’m happy, I really enjoyed snowboarding today. Obviously it’s the Olympics, you take it seriously and really want to put stuff down. The main win for me is how much fun I had.”
Japan’s Kimura Kira produced a clutch final run to claim gold ahead of fellow Japanese snowboarder Ryoma Kimata in silver China’s Su Yuming, who took the bronze.
Guseli finished 10th, an incredible achievement considering big air is not his main event and he still has the half-pipe to come later in the Olympic program, where he will compete alongside fellow Aussie and serious medal contender* Scotty James.
Aiming for his first gold medal, two-time Olympic medallist James has gone viral with his feel-good dance moves, reprising* the famous Hugh Grant dance in the iconic* romantic comedy Love, Actually. Shimmying through a chalet in socks to the Pointer Sisters’ toe-tapping tune Jump, James’ video is guaranteed to warm the hearts and tickle the funny bone of every Australian. GO YOU AUSSIES!
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GLOSSARY
- ruptured: to cause something to explode, break, or tear
- ACL: anterior cruciate ligament, a crucial piece of tissue inside the knee joint that keeps it firmly fixed, and connects the femur (upper leg bone) to the tibia (lower leg bone)
- contender: someone who competes with other people to try to win something
- reprising: a repeat of something or part of something, especially a piece of music, dance or scene
- iconic: very famous and popular, especially being considered to represent particular opinions or a particular time
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QUICK QUIZ
- Who was taken to hospital with a broken leg and what was the major recent injury that preceded this latest crash?
- How long did that athlete’s race last at the Olympic event?
- What is the name of the beloved film that inspired Scotty James’ cheeky, uplifting video?
- Valentino Guseli won the hearts of Australians qualifying for which event?
- Which athlete, of which nation and in which event turned personal tragedy to Olympic triumph?
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Which sport?
Choose a favourite Winter Olympics sport. Create a poster. The purpose of the poster is to help other kids understand the rules of the sport, why it will be fantastic to watch and to make them fans. Use your research skills to help you.
Time: allow at least 45 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education
2. Extension
Reading about the athletes in the story, choose the one whose story so far most inspires you. Write sentences explaining your choice, using information from the article.
Time: allow at least 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education
VCOP ACTIVITY
Walking in their shoes
The Winter Olympians that have headed over to Italy have been training tirelessly to represent Australia. Imagine how they must feel as their dreams of competing in the Olympics come true. It’s time to walk in their shoes and imagine what they must be thinking and feeling. Write a descriptive piece recounting your experiences. You may like to include: training in your chosen sport; being selected for the Olympic team; travelling to an exciting destination; life in the Olympic Village and the moments before, during and after your event.