Chemmy Alcott's BBC Controversy, Marriage to Team GB Star, and Amputation Warning
Former Team GB Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott has been a prominent figure in the BBC's coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 43-year-old, once a powerhouse in British skiing, has transitioned into broadcasting after a storied athletic career that included multiple national championships and appearances at the Winter Olympics in 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014.
Broadcasting Career and Olympic Coverage
Alcott joined the BBC's broadcast team for the 2018 games in Pyeongchang and has provided expert commentary on skiing events during the Milan-Cortina edition. Team GB fielded three competitors in alpine skiing in Italy, with Billy Major and Dave Ryding finishing 16th and 17th respectively, while Laurie Taylor skied out on his first run.
Early Life and Sporting Achievements
Born Chimene 'Chemmy' Alcott in Hove, East Sussex, she took up skiing in her youth and turned professional early. As a teenager, she made her senior competition debut and won medals in the Super G and Giant Slalom at the 1999 European Youth Winter Olympic Festival.
At the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Alcott competed in all five disciplines—Super G, Giant Slalom, Downhill, Slalom, and Combined—though she did not secure a medal. This was the same games where Croatian skiing icon Janica Kostelic claimed three golds.
Personal Life and Marriage
Alcott is married to Dougie Crawford, an accomplished skier who was formerly ranked as Britain's No. 1 in Downhill. The couple tied the knot in 2014 and welcomed their son, Lochlan, in 2017.
Injury Setbacks and Career-Ending Warning
Throughout her career, Alcott faced significant injury challenges, including multiple leg breaks starting in 2010. These injuries ultimately led to her retirement in 2014, following a stark warning from her surgeon.
"My surgeon sat me down and said that if I kept going competitively and crashed, he would have to amputate my leg from the knee down, because I don't have any bone any more. It shocked me," Alcott told The Sun.
"He said, 'Look, this is what you're risking. I let you do it to get to the Olympics, but this is what you're risking every time you experience that G-force and go 80mph'. I was like, 'Right, OK, OK, I love ski racing, I love the mountains but I love this life more'. I probably needed someone to be that severe with it. The best thing that happened to me was that I had to retire."
BBC Controversy and Broadcasting Mishaps
Since retiring, Alcott has moved into broadcasting, though not without incident. She serves as an ambassador for Snow Finel and faced reprimand from BBC executives after wearing knitwear from the clothing label while hosting Ski Sunday.
The presenter was reportedly reminded about "commercial conflicts of interest," with a BBC spokesperson confirming, "Chemmy will not be wearing the brand in question on air again and has been spoken to about this."
Despite this controversy, Alcott remains a key part of the BBC's Winter Olympics coverage, offering insights from her extensive experience on the slopes.
