Winter Olympics 2026: GB curlers denied Olympic gold at death yet again
BBC World
February 21, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Team GB's curling team, led by Bruce Mouat, came heartbreakingly close to ending a 102-year wait for an Olympic gold medal but were ultimately denied by Canada in the final of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The Scottish quartet, who had dominated the sport since their near miss at the 2022 Beijing Games, entered the tournament as favorites and world champions. Despite their strong performance throughout the competition, they fell short in a closely contested match against Canada, finishing with silver for the second consecutive Olympics.
The team's journey to the final was not without challenges. They faced an unexpected scare early in the tournament, nearly being eliminated before bouncing back to secure a medal. Their epic semifinal win over Switzerland had given them hope, with Mouat referring to it as "their gold medal." However, Canada proved too strong in the final, edging out GB 9-6 despite Team GB holding the hammer in the final ends. The defeat marked another chapter in their enduring quest for Olympic glory, leaving the team devastated.
Mouat and his teammates had built a formidable record since their last Games, winning two World Championships, multiple European titles, and an impressive 12 Grand Slam titles. Their success on the international stage only added to the weight of expectation heading into Cortina. However, Canada's experienced team, despite facing cheating claims during the tournament, managed to outplay GB in key moments, particularly capitalizing on some missed shots by Team GB in the final ends.
The emotional toll of another near miss was evident as Mouat expressed his shock and disappointment, while Grant Hardie reflected on the pain of their 2018 heartbreak. The team had come so close to finally breaking the long-standing curse but were left to console themselves with silver once again. This outcome highlights the fine margins that separate victory from defeat
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/21/2026