British ice dance duo Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson have expressed their hope that the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will serve as a catalyst to reignite the British public's passion for figure skating. The pair, who captured the hearts of fans with their vibrant performances, finished in seventh place overall but remain optimistic about the sport's future in the United Kingdom.
Fan Favourites with a Mission
Fear and Gibson quickly emerged as fan favourites during the Games, thanks to their eye-catching costumes and energetic routines set to music from the Spice Girls and a medley of Scottish songs. Their seventh-place finish, while below their aspirations following a world bronze medal in 2025, has not dampened their spirits. They are determined to use their Olympic platform to inspire a new era of British figure skating.
A Personal Inspiration
Fear shared their mission, stating, "A huge mission of ours is to get people involved in the sport, and we know that the Olympics can do that—that's the reason I loved ice dance after watching the 2010 Vancouver Games. To give that inspiration to others is incredibly meaningful for us. We want people to stay true to that spark and get involved." She added, "There is a reignition of the love for ice dance and figure skating in Great Britain that has always been there, and it's so exciting. Let's keep that momentum."
Olympic Journey and Setbacks
The pair initially held fourth place after their Spice Girls-inspired rhythm dance, but errors in their free dance ultimately led to their seventh-place result. This has left them hungry for improvement, with their next opportunity coming at the World Championships in Prague next month. Fear reflected, "We know we can do it. It was so close, which is why it's devastating—it was within reach for the first time in our career. Why not aim higher for the next one?"
Staying True to Their Style
Despite the disappointment, Fear and Gibson are committed to making necessary adjustments to climb back toward the podium. However, they vow to maintain their unique energy and style. Gibson explained, "We did it our way, choosing music we wanted to dance to. We didn't have conventional paths to come together or even start in the sport. It's really cool that we were able to do it for ourselves, and I think that's what resonates with people—the enjoyment we have doing this sport."
Embracing the Olympic Experience
Though the results on ice were not as hoped, the duo fully embraced the Olympic atmosphere. Fear recounted, "Everything happened in those couple of weeks, from high highs to low lows. We had a celebration no matter what at the end and really took in the Olympic experience. It was just so special, with so many memories made and friendships formed. We wanted to enjoy it no matter what, and I feel like we really stayed true to that."
Gibson also highlighted the challenge of winning over diverse crowds, noting, "At the Olympics, it was like we had to win over the crowd again, similar to earlier in our careers. I got excited by that. The first day had a US-dominant crowd, and the second day was Italian-dominant, so it was exciting to introduce ourselves again and entertain them."
Looking Ahead to a British Revival
Fear and Gibson's performance at Milano Cortina 2026 has raised hopes for Britain's first figure skating medal since Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean's success in 1994. As they prepare for future competitions, their focus remains on fostering a lasting legacy for the sport in the UK, encouraging participation and enthusiasm among new generations of skaters.
