Team GB is set to tackle the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy with hopes of securing their best-ever medal haul, but curling gold medallist Eve Muirhead is being cautious about expectations.
Despite returning from the 2018 event in Pyeongchang and the 2014 staging in Sochi four years earlier with five medals, Britain won just two in Beijing last time. While a young team will travel this year, Muirhead remains optimistic that some of them can return with medals around their necks.
"We've got a young team packed with potential, and they've got nine world medals among them from this season, which is the most we've ever had going into a Games," she said. "You can't put a price on a medal, but everyone has their own targets - some might be to win a medal, while others are aiming for top 10 or top 8."
As chef du mission, Muirhead will take responsibility for logistics and athlete welfare, as well as being the link between athletes, coaches, and the organising committee. Her intention is to see all of the Team GB athletes across the 16 sports, with 25 different venues in four separate clusters in northern Italy.
Muirhead acknowledged that she may feel a little envious watching major competitions, but she's "really, really excited" about her role in helping deliver the athletes' dreams at the Games.
Despite returning from the 2018 event in Pyeongchang and the 2014 staging in Sochi four years earlier with five medals, Britain won just two in Beijing last time. While a young team will travel this year, Muirhead remains optimistic that some of them can return with medals around their necks.
"We've got a young team packed with potential, and they've got nine world medals among them from this season, which is the most we've ever had going into a Games," she said. "You can't put a price on a medal, but everyone has their own targets - some might be to win a medal, while others are aiming for top 10 or top 8."
As chef du mission, Muirhead will take responsibility for logistics and athlete welfare, as well as being the link between athletes, coaches, and the organising committee. Her intention is to see all of the Team GB athletes across the 16 sports, with 25 different venues in four separate clusters in northern Italy.
Muirhead acknowledged that she may feel a little envious watching major competitions, but she's "really, really excited" about her role in helping deliver the athletes' dreams at the Games.
. China won like, what, 15 medals in Beijing? 
Still, Muirhead's optimistic and thinks some of these youngsters can bring home the gold. And you know what's even more impressive? She's taking on this huge role as chef du mission while trying to stay excited about it all 
. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Team GB! 
... I mean, Eve Muirhead's optimism is really inspiring! She's got a great attitude about things and seems like she's already thinking about what's best for the athletes, which is amazing 
. I'm sure it can't be easy to balance being cautious with wanting your team to do their best... but at least she's keeping an open mind 
. And I love that she's not putting too much pressure on herself or others - just focusing on helping everyone achieve their goals 
! Eve Muirhead is like the ultimate team mom 
. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows - Team GB didn't exactly have a stellar show in Beijing last time 
. Still, Muirhead is keeping it real, saying no one has any unrealistic expectations 
. She wants to make sure everyone gets the support they need, from athlete welfare to logistics. I'm all for that! 
️. Remember what happened in Beijing last time? Two medals out of a team that should be competing way better than that 
. And now they're bringing in this young team with like, nine world medals between them... I love the enthusiasm, but let's not get ahead of ourselves 
. Still, Muirhead seems like a pro and I'm sure she'll do her best to make sure everything runs smoothly 
. But for me, I'm gonna keep my expectations way down 
... just saying 
. Eve Muirhead is being super realistic about expectations though, which I appreciate. I mean, it's easy to get caught up in the hype, but she knows that every athlete has their own goals and whatnot.
Italy is gonna be so pretty at the Games, btw. And 9 world medals between them? That's like, a solid foundation for some serious medal hauls 
I mean, five medals in a row from two different events? That's some serious curling magic 
And I love how she's keeping it real about expectations - we don't wanna jinx the team just yet 
But seriously, having Muirhead at the helm as chef du mission is huge – logistics, athlete welfare, and all that jazz 
Can't wait to see Team GB rock this competition!
. Like, they're hoping for their best-ever medal haul and all that jazz 
. Eve Muirhead's optimism is great and all, but maybe she should temper those expectations a notch 
. Let's not put too much pressure on the team, or we might end up with a bigger disappointment 
...
. I mean, sure, Team GB has some talented young athletes this time around, but let's be real, they're still a work in progress. We can't just count on them to come out of nowhere and rack up medals like it's going out of style 
. And those 9 world medals? Yeah, that's nice, but Beijing showed us what happens when expectations aren't managed properly 
. Muirhead needs to be super careful with her logistics and athlete welfare game, 'cause if she messes up even once, it's gonna be a disaster 
. Still, I suppose it's great that she's enthusiastic about the whole thing... but let's not get ahead of ourselves 
. I mean, a young team with nine world medals? That's already pretty promising in my book 
. And honestly, who knows what'll happen? Maybe they'll surprise everyone and win like a million medals 
I mean, those young guns have 9 world medals between them, that's some serious talent! Eve Muirhead knows what she's doing too, been around the block a few times... 
. And what's with the young team's expectations? "Top 10 or top 8" isn't exactly the most ambitious goal 
. Can we please focus more on the actual competition and less on the behind-the-scenes stuff? 
? Muirhead seems like a lovely person and all, but at the end of the day, I'll believe it when I see it 
but 9 world medals among the young team is a lot! how can they not aim high when that's what got them there in the first place 
. but I do wonder, what's the actual plan for the logistics and athlete welfare? we need some numbers and sources on this one