Loïc Meillard Wins Historic Olympic Slalom Gold for Switzerland

BORMIO, Italy — Loïc Meillard of Switzerland secured a historic victory in the men’s slalom at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Bormio, Italy, on Monday, February 16, 2026. This win ended a 78-year drought for Switzerland in the Olympic men’s slalom, a discipline they last conquered in 1948 with Edy Reinalter’s triumph at St. Moritz [SwissObserver].

A Long Wait for Gold

Prior to Meillard’s win, Swiss skiers had come close, with Jacques Lüthi earning a bronze medal in 1980 and Ramon Zenhäusern securing silver in 2018 [SwissObserver]. Yet, the top spot on the podium remained elusive for generations of Swiss athletes.

Meillard’s Performance

Meillard’s victory wasn’t just a win; it was a demonstration of skill and mental fortitude. He delivered a flawless run, overcoming a challenging course and historical pressure [SwissObserver]. He navigated the course with precision, finding a rhythm and maintaining control throughout his runs.

Swiss Dominance at the Milan Cortina Olympics

Meillard’s gold medal was part of a remarkable performance by the Swiss men’s team at the Milan Cortina Olympics. They secured four out of five possible gold medals in alpine skiing, a feat described as a “world record” [Reuters] and [RFI]. This success places the current Swiss team among the most successful in Olympic history, rivaling the era of Pirmin Zurbriggen in the 1980s and the current dominance of Marco Odermatt [Reuters].

Other Notable Moments

The men’s slalom also saw challenges for other competitors. Lucas Pinheiro Braathen of Brazil, a previous Olympic gold medalist, crashed during the first run, ending his bid for another medal [AP News]. Atle Lie McGrath of Norway also skied out during the race [AP News].

Following his win, Meillard was congratulated by Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen [AP News].