OLYMPICS: Australia hails record haul at Milano Cortina, team leaders call for more funding

MELBOURNE – Australia celebrated its most successful Winter Olympics yet after a six-medal haul at Milano Cortina, but team leaders stressed that the breakthrough must be supported with increased funding to sustain success in the 2030 French Alps Games.

The Australian delegation leaves Italy with three gold, two silver, and one bronze — surpassing the previous four-medal benchmark set at Beijing 2022 — and climbing to 14th place on the overall medal table.

“Our dream was to show the world that we are a real winter sports nation,” said chef de mission Alisa Camplin in Livigno.

“And when the moments came, we didn’t shy away. But what happened here in Milano Cortina has, in many ways, gone beyond our wildest dreams. Beyond the results, what I’m most proud of is this team’s character — every single member gave it their all.”

Gold medals for mogul skiers Cooper Woods and Jakara Anthony, along with snowboard cross rider Josie Baff, highlighted Australia’s rapid rise in non-traditional winter sports during a three-day medal blitz in Livigno.

Anthony captured the inaugural women’s dual moguls title, becoming the first Australian winter athlete to win two Olympic golds, bouncing back from the disappointment of missing out on her individual defense.

Despite being the world’s driest inhabited continent, Australia has long exceeded expectations at the Summer Olympics. Its investment in year-round training infrastructure has also started paying off in winter sports.

Since 2020, elite freestyle skiers and snowboarders have been practicing tricks on ramps at the Geoff Henke Olympic Winter Training Centre in subtropical Brisbane. The all-weather National Snowsports Training Centre in the Australian Alps opened in 2024, providing athletes with world-class preparation.

Camplin said the Milano Cortina success validated the infrastructure push and noted athletes were grateful for government support so far.

However, she added that winter sports still receive “disproportionately less funding” than summer disciplines.

“There’s a real opportunity to balance that funding and take Australian winter sport to the next level. More athletes can chase their dreams,” Camplin said.

“We now know what we’re capable of. I hope this success encourages more investors, philanthropists, and government support so we can capitalize on this momentum. There are thousands of kids out there who dream of reaching the next level and emulating the idols they saw in Milano Cortina.”

-Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters