Brad Hall and his bobsleigh teammates seek to motivate aspiring athletes after securing seventh place in the four-man event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

High Hopes Fall Short of Podium

The crew of Brad Hall, Leon Greenwood, Greg Cackett, and Taylor Lawrence entered the competition with strong medal aspirations. They claimed medals at the previous two World Championships and captured the European title in 2023, yet an Olympic podium eluded them.

The team stayed optimistic upon returning home, greeted by friends and family during nationwide celebrations for the country’s most successful Winter Olympics campaign.

Building Momentum for Future Stars

Greg Cackett emphasized the value of their achievements to spark broader interest. “It would have been amazing to win a medal, but the journey over the last four years has been stunning,” he stated. “We have won pretty much everything there is to win—not many bobsleigh teams can claim that. I will always be proud of that.”

Cackett highlighted growing public appreciation for winter sports. “People now recognize the scale of what winter athletes achieve. They see it surpasses simple stereotypes and features phenomenal talent. Our female pilot, Adele Nicoll, holds the national shot put championship. We boast multi-talented individuals advancing this sport—it’s worth watching.”

He advocated for enhanced mainstream coverage following record viewing figures. “A YouTube stream could explode with more investment—a studio, host, and pundit, perhaps even Greg Cackett post-retirement, mirroring shows like Ski Sunday or Match of the Day. Highlight the characters and rivalries to draw viewers.”

Call for Better Accessibility

Brad Hall stressed the role of television in growing the sport. “Televising it properly makes it accessible, drawing more viewers. It’s an engaging sport, so broadcasting it boosts interest during the four-year cycles.”

Record-Breaking National Performance

The nation earned three golds, one silver, and one bronze—its best Winter Olympics haul, including multiple golds for the first time. Hall praised the overall results despite his team’s outcome. “We lack natural ice and snow but compete fiercely against lifelong winter nations. We transition from other sports, fueled by camaraderie, hard work, and tenacity. That’s why any success feels miraculous, and shortfalls sting.”