Norwegian-Brazilian skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen received this Friday (20) a symbolic check of R$350,000 from the COB (Brazilian Olympic Committee) for his gold medal in the alpine skiing giant slalom event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games. It was Latin America’s first medal in the competition, which has existed since 1924.
COB delivers the amount to all Brazilian athletes who win Olympic gold. “It is the practice of the Brazilian Olympic Committee to reward the winners with a financial amount that symbolizes the recognition of the work and all the efforts that the athlete made in winning the medal”, stated Marco La Porta, president of the COB.
“This check rewards this fantastic work that Lucas did from the first moment he approached and wore the green and yellow shirt and really showed his passion for the country and his honor in representing our Brazil. It is a more than fair recognition”, added the director.
Born in Olso, the skier, son of a Norwegian father and Brazilian mother, began his career competing for Norway, when he became champion of the Alpine Skiing World Cup, in the slalom category.
Just seven months after winning, he surprised the world by announcing his early retirement from the sport, due to disagreements with the Norwegian federation over the conduct of his career. Shortly afterwards, in October 2024, he announced that he would start competing under the colors of Brazil.
“I’m very excited to work with the Brazilian Olympic Committee to help the new generation that wants to get into sports, that wants to be part of this community and celebrate the diversity of our country. Because this is the value that is really significant for sports”, said Lucas Pinheiro during a visit to Casa Brasil in Milan.
“What makes me really happy is that I’m in a position to bring good to the people now. I have the attention of the Brazilian people at home, the opportunity to bring good, to bring change,” said the Olympic champion.
The COB has already confirmed that the athlete will represent the country again in the next edition of the Winter Games, in the French Alps, in 2030.
