As Team GB prepares for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, the ambition is clear: to surpass previous medal records. However, the team's leader insists that triumph in Italy will be measured by more than just the glitter of gold, silver, and bronze.
Redefining Success: More Than Just Podium Finishes
Eve Muirhead, the Chef de Mission for the British contingent, brings a champion's perspective to her leadership role. The former Olympic curling gold medalist stresses that while medals are the ultimate dream, the team's success will also be judged on performance, tangible progress, and the achievement of personal goals set by each athlete. This philosophy comes after a dip in Britain's Olympic fortunes, where the team's tally fell to just two medals at the Beijing 2022 Games, following five-medal hauls in both Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018.
Muirhead believes this younger squad carries significant promise. She points to a strong pre-Games season as a key reason for optimism, notably the fact that British athletes have already secured nine world championship medals this cycle. This represents the highest number of world medals Team GB has ever taken into a Winter Olympics.
A Chef de Mission's Dual Role: Logistics and Wellbeing
In her crucial role, Muirhead shoulders the responsibility of leading the team in Italy. Her duties extend far beyond ceremonial functions. She will oversee complex logistics, manage athlete welfare, and act as the primary liaison between competitors, coaches, and event organisers. The 35-year-old plans an intensely hands-on approach, aiming to be present and accessible at events across all 16 sports, which are spread over 25 venues in four clusters across northern Italy.
Her recent experience as an elite athlete gives her unique insight into the pressures and emotions her team will face. She admits that watching major competitions still stirs a sense of longing within her, and being so close to the action in Milan-Cortina will likely amplify that feeling. Yet, she says the excitement of supporting a new generation outweighs any envy. She finds pride and honour in helping today's athletes chase their Olympic dreams from her new position on the sidelines.
Realistic Expectations and Individual Journeys
While the potential for a record medal haul exists, Muirhead is careful to manage expectations. She refuses to publicly put a target number on the desired medal count. In her view, success is deeply individual. For some athletes, the goal will be a podium finish. For others, a breakthrough performance—such as a top-eight or top-ten finish—represents a monumental achievement. Muirhead's message is clear: every athlete's personal target is valid and contributes to the overall story of Team GB in Milan-Cortina. The journey, the progress, and the pinnacle of an Olympic performance together define the team's legacy, ensuring that success is not reduced to a simple number on a tally sheet.
