Brad Hall and his bobsleigh teammates express optimism about inspiring young athletes after securing seventh place in the four-man event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Strong Olympic Showing Despite No Medal
Hall, alongside Leon Greenwood, Greg Cackett, and Taylor Lawrence, entered the competition with medal aspirations. The team boasts medals from the previous two World Championships and claimed the European title in 2023, yet an Olympic podium eluded them this time.
The athletes return upbeat, highlighting their remarkable four-year journey. “It would have been amazing to win a medal, but the journey we have had over the last four years has been stunning,” Cackett stated. “We have won pretty much everything there is to win—not many bobsleigh teams can say they’ve done that. I will always be proud of that.”
Building Public Interest in Winter Sports
Cackett points to growing public support for winter sports, emphasizing the talent within the team. “People really understand the scale of what winter athletes achieve. They see it is more than just a movie portrayal—we have phenomenal athletes,” he noted. He spotlighted female pilot Adele Nicoll, the British shot put champion, as an example of multifaceted talent in the sport.
To sustain momentum, Cackett calls for expanded coverage. “The YouTube stream could be massive with more investment—a studio with a host and pundit, like Ski Sunday or Match of the Day, highlighting characters and rivalries,” he suggested.
Hall on Accessibility and Team GB Success
Hall stresses the need for better television access. “Televising it makes it more accessible, drawing viewers. It’s an interesting sport, so people will watch if available,” he said. “That boosts interest between Olympics.”
Team GB marked its most successful Winter Olympics with three golds, one silver, and one bronze—the first Games with multiple golds. Hall praises the broader achievements: “We are not a winter sports nation without natural ice and snow, yet we punch above our weight against athletes raised on snow. We transfer from other sports, fueled by camaraderie, hard work, and tenacity. That’s why falling short stings, but our wins remain miraculous.”
