UK Sport has unveiled its medal ambitions for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, outlining cautious but growing confidence in the strength and depth of British

winter athletes heading to Italy.

For the Olympic Games, UK Sport estimates that Team GB could win between four and eight medals. At the Paralympic Games, ParalympicsGB is forecast to secure between two and five medals. These ranges underline both the opportunity and the uncertainty that define winter sport, where fine margins, changing conditions and high-risk events can quickly reshape expectations.

What makes Milan Cortina particularly exciting is the breadth of British talent expected to compete. More UK athletes than ever before are entering the Winter Games with genuine medal potential across a wider range of sports. As a result, British competitors are likely to feature in medal conversations throughout the Games, offering fans plenty to cheer and inspiring a new generation to connect with winter sport.

While winter sport is notoriously unpredictable, the midpoint of the Olympic medal range would represent the best Winter Olympic performance in British history. Team GB’s record currently stands at five medals, achieved at both Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018. There is cautious optimism that this benchmark could be matched—or even surpassed—on Italian snow and ice.

The outlook for the Paralympic team is slightly more restrained than it was ahead of Beijing 2022. Injuries and limited international competition opportunities during the cycle have presented challenges. Even so, ParalympicsGB is still expected to be competitive across multiple disciplines and capable of delivering medal success.

Rather than setting fixed medal targets, UK Sport works closely with individual sports to agree realistic ranges. This approach reflects the inherent unpredictability of winter events and the responsibility that comes with investing significant amounts of public funding into elite sport.

That investment has been substantial. Supported by The National Lottery and the UK Government, UK Sport has committed more than £32.5 million to winter sports over the four-year Olympic and Paralympic cycle. The funding underlines a long-term ambition to establish Great Britain as an increasingly powerful presence on the winter sporting stage.

The excitement around Milan Cortina is heightened by the Games’ return to a western European time zone for the first time in nearly two decades. For British audiences, this means more live coverage at accessible hours, greater engagement with the action and enhanced opportunities for athletes to inspire the nation.

Winter sport already holds a special place in British sporting culture—from Torvill and Dean’s iconic Olympic moments to Rhona Martin’s famous “Stone of Destiny” at Salt Lake City 2002, and from the enduring popularity of *Ski Sunday* to the mainstream appeal of *Dancing on Ice*. That connection shows no sign of fading.

According to UK Sport’s latest public attitude survey, support for funding winter sports remains strong. More than two-thirds of the British public back the financial support given to winter athletes, a level of approval that matches enthusiasm for summer sports.

As Milan Cortina 2026 approaches, UK Sport’s message is clear: British winter athletes are better prepared, more competitive and more widely supported than ever before—setting the stage for what could be a landmark Games for Team GB and ParalympicsGB.

Dr. Kate Baker, Director of Performance and People at UK Sport said: “There is nothing quite like a winter Olympic and Paralympic Games and I am hugely excited about the potential our British athletes have to reach, inspire and unite the British public at Milan Cortina 2026, particularly given this is a first winter Games on a western European time zone for nearly two decades.

“Our medal ranges reflect the fact that British athletes are arriving at the Games in hugely competitive form with enormous potential to deliver memorable, extraordinary sporting moments for the British public to enjoy.

“Supported steadfastly by The National Lottery, the UK Government and by the amazing, talented, dedicated support teams within their National Governing Bodies, our athletes have been working incredibly hard to prepare for these Games.

“Now is their chance to pursue their dreams on the biggest stage and I can’t wait to join millions of people across our country in cheering them on.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “The Winter Olympics and Paralympics have delivered some iconic moments in our national sporting story, from Torvill and Dean in Sarajevo to Eve Muirhead leading Team GB to that incredible curling gold and ParalympicsGB skier Neil Simpson becoming Great Britain’s first ever male athlete to win gold on snow four years ago.
 
“Milan Cortina 2026 promises to be another incredible event and I cannot wait to cheer our British athletes on in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. I know how hard they’ve worked to get here and I know they’ll do themselves and our country proud.”

Eve Muirhead OBE, Team GB’s Chef de Mission for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games said:  “We’ve been meticulous in our preparations for Milano Cortina 2026. I know first-hand the difference the right environment can make at an Olympic Games, and our focus has been on creating the conditions that allow athletes to deliver when it matters most.

“The potential within this team is exceptionally high, and while we don’t always benefit from the same ease of access to snow and ice as some of our rivals, when I look at the class of 2026, I see a real opportunity to challenge the status quo. Our athletes are focused, driven and hungry to succeed, and our responsibility is to put the right foundations in place so every one of them can perform to their potential. We are heading to Italy as a credible force across more disciplines than ever before, and I’m excited to see the nation get behind them.”

Phil Smith, ParalympicsGB’s Chef de Mission for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games said:

“ParalympicsGB will be represented across five sports, with an exciting mix of experienced Paralympians and Games debutants already selected and the full team set to be confirmed next month.

"I am confident we have a plan in place to give each and every athlete the best possible chance to deliver incredible performances that will excite and enthral the British public. 

“With the Paralympic Winter Games taking place close to home and in a European time zone, Milano Cortina 2026 presents a fantastic opportunity for ParalympicsGB’s talented athletes to show fans – whether in Italy or supporting from back home – just how captivating and thrilling Winter sports can be.”  Photo by Milan-Cortina Candidature File, Wikimedia commons.