The Milan Minute

By Michael Weadock

There’s something about an Olympic City. Something intoxicating. What it is, you can’t quite put your finger on – unless you’re a Canadian curler, of course. (The use of the finger in the Men’s Olympic Curling Tournament was one of those stories that make an Olympic Games.

Milan-Cortina was my third time covering an Olympic Winter Games, but whilst in 2018 and 2022, I followed events from home – usually through the night – for the Games of 2026, I was able to travel to Northern Italy and see things with my own eyes.

It was an extraordinary time.

Just days before I was due to fly to Milan, my mother died. She had been ill for a couple of weeks although it never occurred to me that death was near. In fact, less than 24 hours before she passed away, we had been speaking on the telephone about my trip and she had been fussing like only a mother can. She had been asking me whether I had warm clothes and whether I had some Euros. She even told me where in her house there was some currency left over from her last European trip. My mum loved travelling and had been in India just a few weeks before she died.

So, arriving in Milan just hours before the Opening Ceremony was an emotional time. I only made the trip after speaking, at length, to my wife, my sister and my aunt and uncle. They all urged me to travel.

John, my business partner at Anything but Footy, offered his full and unwavering support either way. It was an offer made on compassionate grounds, definitely not a business decision – and it was very much appreciated.

My first job on the morning after the formalities at the San Siro Stadium was to go and record an interview with Katherine Grainger – Chair of the British Olympic Association. I have deliberately left off Katherine’s titles at her request. She’s never wished to be styled as Dame or Baroness. On arrival at the hotel, I was met by Scott Field who had previously held a senior role at The BOA and was now working as a consultant with the organisation. Scott has been a friend for a long time – pre-dating any role in Olympic sport – and knew about my personal circumstances. We had a hug and a coffee and I felt stronger knowing I was inside the ‘Games-time’ environment. Katherine was predictably brilliant in the interview and predictably brilliant in the personal circumstances.

We were off and running.

Then came the intervention of another ‘old mate’ from the circuit. When you work together in the unreal world of covering an Olympic or Paralympic Games and the bubble it creates, you build uniquely brilliant relationships with your so-called rivals. John and I, who used to work for rival radio stations, are evidence that it’s not all clambering over each other to get the interview!

The first day of the Games coincided with England v Wales in the 6 Nations and my Sky Sports colleague Geraint Hughes had identified an Irish bar in Milan to go and watch the match. Having heard my news, he insisted I join him and it’s not to underestimate my personal circumstances that it might possibly have been one of the best invites I’ve ever received. Rugby watched and Guinness consumed, we plotted our plan for what we thought might happen over the next fortnight and the stories we would need to cover.

Milan was the focus for the first week where we all hoped Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson would win an Olympic medal for Great Britain in figure skating for the first time since 1994. History tells us that it didn’t subsequently happen. In fact, I was in the arena for the routine in which a mistake by Lilah brought an audible groan from the thousands of spectators. I was in the interview area following the mistake and saw Lilah, distraught, being led away by Lewis. Carefully and with Lilah’s best interests at heart. Neither were made generally available for interviews, and I saw the next day that in the absence of actual quotes, some untruths about the pair were published. Fortunately, in all subsequent interviews they have dispelled all rumours about their relationship. They spoke to John on arrival back in the UK and their relationship was as strong as ever as they headed for the World Championships.

I travelled from Milan to Cortina for Matt Weston’s two gold medals. Firstly, in the men’s skeleton and then with Tabby Stoecker, in the mixed doubles. I was able to record a lovely interview with Matt on the morning after his first gold medal and then with the pair following the mixed event. Cortina was stunning. There was a wonderful buzz about the place and you wonder how the Olympic Winter Games will move forward as challenges around climate change and expenditure affect it in the future.

So, in a time of dreadful personal circumstances, the Games delivered again and proved to be the perfect tonic and good for the soul. Whether it was the kindness of old friends and colleagues, the performance of Team GB or the atmosphere around a city and region celebrating what the Olympics meant, it certainly delivered.

My choice to travel. And, to work. No regrets.