Team GB narrowly misses bronze at Winter Olympics
Team GB curling star Jen Dodds faced a heart-wrenching defeat as Great Britain lost to Italy in the mixed doubles bronze medal match at the Winter Olympics, concluding with a score of 5–3. This result left Britain with a fourth-place finish and continued the nation’s search for an Olympic medal, reports BritPanorama.
Competing alongside her long-time partner Bruce Mouat, Dodds showed clear signs of distress following the match. Despite having entered the tournament as strong contenders, the British duo fell short against Italy’s Amos Mosaner and Stefania Constantini, who demonstrated a strong performance throughout the game.
The match began with an air of optimism as Team GB had topped their group with just one loss, instilling belief that this could be the moment to end their medal drought. However, a narrow defeat in the semi-finals to Sweden had already dented their aspirations, culminating in the disappointing finale against the home nation.
In Cortina, the passionate Italian crowd witnessed their team, including Olympic champions in Beijing four years prior, seize the moment with timely shots that kept their score ticking over. Despite flashes of brilliance from Dodds and Mouat, Team GB struggled to convert their chances into points. As the match closed, Dodds turned away from the cameras, visibly upset, while Mouat expressed mixed emotions but commended their overall performance.
“So close and yet so far,” Dodds reflected after the match, her voice trembling. “I don’t want to ugly cry — so I’ll just stop there.”
The disappointment resonated deeply with both players. Mouat acknowledged the sharpness of the defeat but maintained a perspective on their resilience over the competition, stating, “We gave ourselves a chance, and that’s all you can do.”
The defeat adds to a growing sense of frustration surrounding Team GB’s Olympic campaign, as several athletes have encountered near-misses across various events. Curling, traditionally a strength for Britain, had been anticipated as a potential source of medals.
Chef de Mission Eve Muirhead, a former Olympic curling champion, called for a calm reflection in the wake of the loss. She praised Dodds and Mouat’s dedication and highlighted that opportunities remain with men’s and women’s curling events ahead. “There’s disappointment, of course,” Muirhead stated. “But this team has shown time and again that they can bounce back. We’re not done yet.”
The atmosphere in the arena shifted to jubilation for Italy, marking a significant achievement as they secured a medal on home soil. For Great Britain, however, it was yet another bittersweet moment, a stark reminder of the fine margins at Olympic level and the relentless pursuit for glory.
