Adrenaline was coursing through Austrian snowboarder Benjamin Karl after he secured his second consecutive Olympic gold medal in the men’s parallel giant slalom on Sunday.
The thrill of victory seemed to make him immune to the chilly temperatures as he enthusiastically shed his jacket and layers of clothing in celebration.
The 40-year-old athlete was seen flexing his arms and yelling with joy, removing his jacket and four layers of clothing during his celebratory outburst. He even briefly laid face-down in the snow, seemingly unaffected by the cold.
Karl’s gold medal victory came after he trailed South Korea’s Kim Sang-kyum for a large portion of the final race. However, he capitalized on a mistake made by Kim, ultimately crossing the finish line just 0.19 seconds ahead of his competitor to claim the gold medal at Livigno Snow Park. Bulgaria’s Tervel Zamfirov secured the bronze medal, completing the podium finishers.
The crowd at Livigno Snow Park thoroughly enjoyed Karl’s passionate celebration, which stood out as one of the most memorable reactions to winning gold at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics so far.
After his spirited celebration, Karl eventually redressed and joined Kim and Zamfirov on the podium to receive his medal.
Throughout the playing of the Austrian national anthem, Karl maintained a wide smile, clearly savoring the moment.
This victory also marked a historic achievement for Karl, making him the first snowboarder to ever win four Olympic medals. In addition to his two gold medals, he won a bronze medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics in Whistler.
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are off to an exciting start, with athletes from around the world showcasing their skills and determination. Karl’s victory and enthusiastic celebration have undoubtedly added a memorable moment to the games.
