Team GB Ace Kirsty Muir Misses Winter Olympics Medal by Narrow Margin

Muir breaks down in tears after finishing fourth in freeski women's slopestyle competition

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Kirsty Muir, a 21-year-old British freestyle skier, narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal at the 2026 Winter Games in Livigno, Italy. Muir finished fourth in the women's slopestyle competition, just 0.41 points behind the bronze medalist. The Aberdeen native was visibly emotional after her final run, crying in the arms of her family as she processed the disappointment of coming so close to the podium.

Why it matters

Finishing fourth at the Olympics is considered one of the most heartbreaking results, as athletes come agonizingly close to winning a medal but ultimately leave empty-handed. Muir's performance highlights the fine margins at the elite level of winter sports, where the difference between a podium finish and missing out can come down to just fractions of a point.

The details

Muir struggled with her first two runs, failing to nail the final jump in her opening run and struggling in the penultimate section on her second attempt. However, she was able to put down a strong final run, scoring 76.05 points. But it wasn't enough to overtake Canadian Megan Oldham, who scored 76.46 points to take the bronze medal. Muir was visibly emotional after the competition, unsure of exactly what 0.41 points represented in terms of her performance.

  • Muir finished fourth in the freeski women's slopestyle competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy on February 9, 2026.

The players

Kirsty Muir

A 21-year-old British freestyle skier who competed in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy.

Megan Oldham

A Canadian freestyle skier who won the bronze medal in the women's slopestyle competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Mathilde Gremaud

A Swiss freestyle skier who won the gold medal in the women's slopestyle competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Eileen Gu

A Chinese freestyle skier who won the silver medal in the women's slopestyle competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“I don't know. It's all up to the judges. On the score, it looks so close, that's tough. But at the end of the day, it's the position that mattered and fourth is a little bit hard for me.”

— Kirsty Muir (the-sun.com)

“I'm quite mixed at the moment. I'm obviously a bit sad, a bit...not angry with myself, I'm not disappointed, but fourth is just a tough place to be.”

— Kirsty Muir (the-sun.com)

“I had a bit of difficulty in the first two runs. I got a bit annoyed at myself after my second run.”

— Kirsty Muir (the-sun.com)

What’s next

Muir will now focus on the Big Air event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, which is scheduled for next week, giving her a chance at redemption.

The takeaway

Kirsty Muir's heartbreaking fourth-place finish at the 2026 Winter Olympics highlights the fine margins at the elite level of winter sports, where the difference between a podium finish and missing out can come down to just fractions of a point. Her emotional reaction underscores the immense pressure and disappointment athletes face when they come so close to achieving their Olympic dreams.