Snowboarder Adamczyková wins silver at Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics

Czech snowboardcross star Eva Adamczyková has secured the silver medal at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, completing her career "set" of Olympic medals. The 32-year-old veteran finished a close second in a high-stakes final at the Cortina d'Ampezzo mountain resort, marking another historic moment for Czech winter sports.

The race, which saw Adamczyková battle through tight turns and icy conditions, adds the missing silver to her previous accolades: gold from Sochi 2014 and bronze from Pyeongchang 2018. After missing the 2022 Beijing Games due to double ankle fractures, her return to the Olympic podium was met with emotional celebrations from the Czech team and fans on-site.

"It is a beautiful feeling. I wanted to fight for the gold, but the silver is amazing, and now the collection is complete," Adamczyková told Czech Radio shortly after crossing the finish line. The Czech athlete had been a favorite throughout the heats, demonstrating the technical precision that has kept her at the top of the sport for over a decade.

The gold medal was claimed by France’s Chloé Trespeuch, who managed to pull ahead during the final jump section, while the bronze went to Belle Brockhoff of Australia. Despite the intense competition, Adamczyková remained focused on the local significance of the achievement, acknowledging the support of her coaching staff and the traveling Czech contingent.

Back in Prague, officials were quick to praise the veteran’s resilience. "Eva has once again shown that she is one of the greatest athletes in our history. Her comeback from injury to an Olympic silver is an inspiration to all," said Jiří Kejval, President of the Czech Olympic Committee.

The silver medal represents a significant boost for the Czech Republic’s standing in the overall medal table at these Games. Beyond the podium, Adamczyková’s success is expected to drive continued interest in snowboarding programs across the Czech mountains, where she remains a primary figurehead for the sport.

Adamczyková is scheduled to compete in the team snowboardcross event later this week. Following the conclusion of the Games, the Czech Olympic team will host a homecoming celebration for the medalists at the Olympic Festival site in Czechia, allowing local fans to congratulate the champion in person.