Brazil’s Pinheiro Braathen wins gold – and South America’s first Winter Olympics medal

As the snow fell in Bormio, and the fog settled in, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history by becoming the first South American to win a Winter Olympic medal. Then, as the realisation that he had won gold for Brazil in the men’s giant slalom, he collapsed to the floor and allowed the tears to flow.“I just hope that Brazilians look at this and truly understand that your difference is your superpower,” he said, still sobbing away. “It may show up in your skin or in the way you dress. But I hope this inspires every kid out there who feels a bit different to trust who you are.”On the back of his helmet, Pinheiro Braathen has in big letters “Vamos Dancar” – “Let’s Dance.” And he certainly did that on his first run, establishing a stunning 0.95sec lead over the Swiss legend Marco Odermatt.Braathen’s performance was so good that only seven skiers were within two seconds of his pace, and while he leaked away some of his advantage with some ragged turns in his second run, he held his nerve to win gold by 0.58sec. “It really was one hell of a first run and I was able to keep composed and balanced in the second run,” explained the 25-year-old who collapsed to the snow at the finish before rising up and holding his skis aloft. He then sought out his father, Bjorn, for a long embrace.Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen gives a thumbs up after winning the gold medal. Photograph: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP“You guys keep trying to ask me if I can put words into these emotions but I really can’t,” he admitted. “This road has really been long. And it’s been a rather unconventional one. But it’s been my one. It’s a road that has been paved with daring to be who I am.”That is certainly true. Pinheiro Braathen was born to a Brazilian mother and Norwegian father in Oslo and reluctantly took up skiing at the age of eight after being introduced to the sport by his father. He was raised speaking both Norwegian and Portuguese.He competed for Norway at the Beijing Games, where he failed to finish in either giant slalom or slalom, before stunning the sport when he split with the Norwegian federation and retired after winning the World Cup slalom title in 2023, saying he was not able to express himself or have the freedom to work with his own sponsors.Fans with Brazilian flags urge Lucas Pinheiro Braathen to Olympic glory. Photograph: Fredrik Sandberg/TT/ShutterstockIn 2024, Pinheiro Braathen returned to the slopes in the colours of Brazil, the birthplace of his mother Alessandra and where he spent several years of his childhood. With 443,000 followers on Instagram, he is a regular at fashion weeks in Paris and Milan, and has also launched his own skincare product range.And two years later, he realised his dream. “It was the biggest stage I could put my foot on,” he added. “But I am built for this stage. As I said before these Games started, Brazil is not here to participate. We are going to bring a difference. That was my goal. I’ve dreamed about this for so long, that if I followed my heart I could finish off on top. And that’s why I am an Olympic champion today.”Odermatt, the reigning Olympic champion, took silver. While another Swiss skier, Loic Meillard, won bronze.