In a breathtaking display of skill and determination, Cooper Woods of Australia has clinched the nation's first gold medal at the Winter Olympics with a superb win in the men's moguls event at Livigno. The 25-year-old outsider stunned the skiing world by outperforming mogul greats Mikael Kingsbury and Akuma Horishima in a thrilling final run that captivated audiences.
A Surprise Victory Against the Odds
Entering the Olympics as a long-shot, Woods had never won a World Cup event and had only made the podium once in 51 starts, following an underwhelming season. However, he rose to the occasion on the grand stage, delivering a flawless performance that secured the top spot. His victory marks a significant milestone for Australia, which had been searching for its first medal of the Games.
An Emotional Medal Ceremony with an Aussie Icon
The gold medal was presented by one of Australia's most decorated Olympians, canoe superstar Jessica Fox, a six-time Olympic medallist. Woods expressed his awe at receiving the award from such an iconic figure, noting that Fox became emotional during the ceremony. "It was an amazing honour to receive my gold medal from a fellow champion," Woods said. "She's an Aussie icon – so lovely, but it threw me off guard, she was very emotional handing me the medal and it brought a lot of significance to that moment."
He added, "She started tearing up a little bit, and I was just, 'Oh my god, is this Jess Fox!', that was so cool. It was really nice to receive something so elite from an Aussie icon." The trio was completed by Australian chef de mission Alyssa Camplin, a gold medallist from the 2002 Winter Olympics, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
Fox's Connection with the Australian Team
As a member of the IOC Athletes' Commission, Fox has been spending time with the Australian team in Livigno, offering support and camaraderie. She witnessed the disappointment of teammate Jakara Anthony, whose hopes for successive gold medals were dashed by an uncharacteristic error during her medal round race. Fox and Anthony had previously connected after the Paris Olympics, where Fox won her third gold while Anthony was sidelined with a broken collarbone.
Both athletes have carried the Australian flag in opening ceremonies, with Fox providing advice on handling the extra attention and pressure of defending a title. Reflecting on the winter athletes, Fox expressed immense respect for their fearless nature. "I look at them and I think winter athletes are just built different - they are incredible, fearless," she told AAP. "I'm going to say robust because some of the falls I've seen and they just get back up and ski or snowboard off. It's insane what they do, and I have so much respect and admiration for them."
A Non-Skier's Admiration for Winter Sports
Despite being a summer athlete, Fox admitted to being in awe of the daredevil athletes in high-stakes winter sports. She shared that she has only skied twice in her life, avoiding it to prevent injuries before the Olympics. "Unfortunately, as a summer athlete I've been chasing summer since I was a kid," Fox explained. "I skied once as, like an eight-year-old, and then once again in 2018 or 2019, but I thought it was really irresponsible in case I did my ACL just before the Olympics."
Woods' victory not only brings glory to Australia but also highlights the spirit of sportsmanship and mutual admiration among athletes across different disciplines. This gold medal sets a positive tone for the Australian team as the Winter Olympics continue, with hopes for more successes in the days ahead.
