Chef de Mission Eve Muirhead sets broader goals for evaluation in Winter Olympics 2026 as Team GB sets strong targets

Team GB is heading to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics with the hope of achieving its best medal return yet. However, success will not be judged only by medals, according to Chef de Mission Eve Muirhead. The former Olympic curling champion believes performance, progress, and personal goals matter just as much as podium finishes. Britain won five medals at both the 2014 Sochi Games and the 2018 PyeongChang Games. That number dropped to two at the Beijing Olympics.

This time, the British squad will be younger, but confidence remains high. Muirhead feels the group has shown strong promise leading into the Games. She points to recent world championship results as a key reason for optimism. While medals are the dream, she insists expectations must be realistic and individual. Each athlete will arrive with a different target, and all of them matter.

Eve Muirhead focuses on progress, potential, and athlete welfare

Eve Muirhead says the current Team GB squad is full of young athletes with clear potential. She highlights that the team has already won nine world medals this season. That is the highest total Britain has ever taken into a Winter Games. In her view, medals are priceless, but success cannot be reduced to a number alone. Some athletes will aim for a medal. Others may set goals like finishing in the top 10 or top eight. Speaking to BBC Sport, she noted that Britain has a chance to achieve its best-ever medal haul, but she refuses to put a figure on it.

As Chef de Mission, Muirhead carries major responsibility. She will lead the team in Italy and oversee logistics and athlete wellbeing. She will also act as the main link between athletes, coaches, and event organisers. The 35-year-old plans to attend events across all 16 sports. These will take place at 25 venues spread across four clusters in northern Italy. Her goal is to be present and accessible throughout the Games.

Muirhead’s recent experience as an athlete helps her understand the emotions athletes feel before a major event. She admits that watching big competitions still brings a sense of longing. Being close to the action will likely make her miss competing herself. Even so, she says the excitement outweighs any envy. She feels honoured to be trusted with this role. Helping athletes chase their Olympic dreams now brings her pride, even from the other side of the arena.

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