Robin Cuche finally celebrates Paralympic medal

When Robin Cuche stepped onto the podium in the finish area in Cortina shortly before 2.30 pm, he was overcome with emotion. While he had seemed composed minutes before, he was now crying tears of joy. The skier wiped his face several times and seemed barely able to contain his happiness. At his fourth Winter Games, the man from Neuchâtel finally secured his first medal - and a gold one at that.

"I just wanted gold"

The speed specialist, who competes in the standing class, had put himself under a lot of pressure beforehand. "The goal is a podium finish," he emphasized several times. With the gold medal around his neck and tears in his eyes, he then said: "I always said that I wanted a medal. That wasn't quite right: I only wanted gold. I would have been pretty disappointed with silver."

Even though silver or bronze would have been the 27-year-old's first Paralympic medal. But his season has been excellent so far. "I have the small crystal globe and now gold at the Paralympics. That was the plan at the start of the season," said Cuche, who tried to keep his emotions under control: "I've already cried a few times today, and I'm sure I'll cry a few more times."

Celebrating with the family

A little later, Cuche celebrated with his team. He was hugged, congratulated and celebrated by coaches, teammates and staff members. Then he was finally allowed to join his family.

Cuche had already emphasized in advance how much it meant to him to have his loved ones there. "My mother and uncle flew to Pyeongchang in 2018. But my brother and father had never seen me at the Winter Games before."

Now they all got to experience Cuche's first medal and Switzerland's first at this year's Games. It is quite possible that he shed a few more tears when he was finally embraced by his family in the stands at 3 pm.