Winter Olympics 2026: GB's Atkin Wins Bronze, Kenworthy Faces Backlash

The 2026 Winter Olympics have been a mixed bag for Team GB, with some athletes achieving remarkable success while others face controversy and disappointment. In the women's freeski halfpipe final, Zoe Atkin won a bronze medal, expressing her delight and pride in her achievement.

"I'm so happy!" Atkin exclaimed, reflecting on her performance. "It's an incredible feeling to stand on the podium and hear the national anthem being played."

Meanwhile, Gus Kenworthy, a member of Team GB's freestyle skiing team, finished sixth in the men's freeski halfpipe final, won by USA's Alex Ferreira. However, Kenworthy has been facing a different kind of challenge off the slopes. The athlete received death threats after posting a graphic message about the United States' Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) organization on Instagram.

"It was tough," Kenworthy said, speaking to BBC Sport about the backlash. "No-one wants to read bad things about themselves, things that are threats and violent and scary and homophobic." Despite the criticism, Kenworthy remains resolute, stating that he is "on the right side" of the issue.

In other Olympic news, Canada's ice hockey team reached the final after a thrilling semi-final match against Finland. Nathan MacKinnon scored the winning goal with just 35 seconds left on the clock, securing a 3-2 victory for Canada.

In rugby, Wales suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Scotland in the Six Nations, losing 26-23 despite leading for most of the match. The loss marks Wales' 24th defeat in 26 internationals since October 2023 and their 14th successive Six Nations loss. Despite the disappointment, the team's performance has given fans hope for the future.

As the Winter Olympics continue, Team GB athletes will be looking to build on their successes and learn from their setbacks. With the tournament heating up, fans can expect more thrilling performances and unexpected twists in the days to come.