Winter Olympics history was made on Saturday, February 14, when Brazilian alpine skier Lucas Pinheiro Braathen won gold in the men’s giant slalom, beating alpine skiing great Marco Odermatt of Switzerland.
Pinheiro’s win was the first-ever Winter Olympic medal and the first-ever Winter Olympic medal for a South American athlete. Following Pinheiro and Odermatt to round out the podium was Odermatt’s Swiss countryman Loic Meillard.
After the big win, the vibes were immaculate.
MORE: USA figure skater gives emotional tribute to parents at 2026 Winter Olympics
Pinheiro was overcome with emotion after crossing the finish line and realizing he had done enough to bring home the gold medal for his country after the run of a lifetime.
After the run, things got even better.
MORE: Banned Ukrainian Olympian gets ultimate honor from President Zelenskyy
Pinheiro was able to share the incredible moment with his friends and family back at home, and kissed the camera while flexing his medal as they all cheered him on.
Lucas Pinheiro-Braathen shares his HISTORIC #WinterOlympics victory lap with friends & family in Brazil.
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) February 14, 2026pic.twitter.com/jj3zmdgyhK
After accepting his medal, Pinheiro was not only at the top of the podium, but he was on top of the world.
With one giant leap, Pinheiro delivered an unforgettable photo that belongs in The Louvre. It’s a moment that Pinheiro, his country, and South American athletes will never forget with a little samba to boot.
Lucas Pinheiro Braathen hizo historia para Brasil y para Sudamérica: se convirtió en el primer atleta del continente en ganar una medalla en los Juegos Olímpicos de Invierno.
— EnBoga (@EnBogaMx) February 14, 2026
Ahora suena el himno nacional brasileño en medio de la nieve, durante el Carnaval.
Es Brasil… pic.twitter.com/IK35PTPPHX
Congratulations to Pinheiro on the historic win.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
OLYMPICS: Watch Ilia Malinin suffer shock end to 2026 Winter Olympic run
NFL: NFL teams with the highest winning percentages over the last 10 years
CFB: Ole Miss given huge Trinidad Chambliss boost for 2026 college football season
MLB: Former Dodgers World Series champion to sign with Angels
NHL: Full list of NHL players in the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey tournament
VIRAL: Myles Garrett, girlfriend Chloe Kim share heartfelt moment after Olympic stunner
The post Brazil’s Lucas Pinheiro Braathen has epic celebration after making Olympic history appeared first on The Big Lead.