As the anticipation builds for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina, moments of profound sportsmanship often remind us of the true spirit underpinning the global spectacle. Far removed from medal counts and national rivalries, the core values championed by Baron Pierre de Coubertin—the struggle, the fight, and fair play—were vividly embodied this week by Australian bobsledder Sarah Blizzard.
The Brink of Olympic Heartbreak
The Dutch two-man bobsled team, Dave Wesselink and Jelen Franjic, faced an imminent collapse of their Olympic aspirations. Following a disappointing 21st-place finish at the preceding World Cup event in Winterberg, Germany, their qualification hopes hung precariously by a thread. The Netherlands maintains stringent performance criteria for Olympic selection, demanding a top-eight finish in their upcoming World Cup meet in St. Moritz, Switzerland, to keep their dream alive.
“We saw we had potential in the two-man bobsled but the equipment wasn't good enough,” Wesselink confessed to Dutch media outlet NU.nl. “A 21st-place finish wasn't where we belonged. That result convinced us we had to do things differently if we still wanted to make it to the Games.”
The challenge was monumental. Custom-built bobsleds command staggering prices, often reaching up to $150,000 AUD, and securing a suitable replacement with only days to spare before the critical St. Moritz race was logistically impossible. Their only viable, albeit desperate, option was to seek a loan.
Blizzard Answers the Call
Enter Sarah Blizzard, the Australian bobsledder competing in the two-woman event alongside her brake woman, Desi Johnson. Blizzard and the Dutch team operate within the tight-knit, often collaborative ecosystem of international sliding sports, where mechanics and coaches frequently share knowledge and resources.
“We kind of work together already,” Blizzard explained to ABC Sport from Altenburg, where the season’s final World Cup event was scheduled. “We have a bit of a cooperation with our team, with the Belgians and the Dutch at the track anyway. We have worked together, and the Dutch coaches and mechanics have helped us quite a lot in the past.”
The request came swiftly after the disappointing German race. “They [the Dutch] had a race in Winterberg in Germany and it wasn't the result that they needed. I was actually watching the race in my hotel room and I saw it looked like a nice run. Just there wasn't a lot of speed in the sled and about five minutes later the coach calls me and goes, ‘Hey, Blizzard, would you consider lending us your sled in St Moritz?’”
While the decision carried weight—Blizzard’s personal sled was financed through a mix of sponsorship and significant family loans, valued around €35,000 (approximately $60,700 AUD)—her commitment to the Olympic spirit superseded financial concerns.
A Loan That Changed Everything
In a move that perfectly encapsulates the essence of elite athletic camaraderie, Blizzard agreed to the loan. The impact was immediate and transformative.
Wesselink and Franjic, now piloting Blizzard’s equipment, delivered the performance they desperately needed in St. Moritz, securing the vital top-eight finish required by the Dutch Olympic committee. The relief and elation were palpable.
“They got the result that they needed and it was very heartwarming,” Blizzard shared, reflecting on the outcome. “We absolutely loved watching it. We were so excited for them, they're great guys. They've been helping us so much and I'm very, very happy for them.”
This act of generosity extends beyond a single race. By enabling their qualification, Blizzard has provided the Dutch duo with an ongoing opportunity to compete on the world stage, potentially leading to stronger results at the Games themselves.
The True Meaning of the Games
The narrative of Sarah Blizzard’s selfless loan serves as a powerful counterpoint to the hyper-competitive nature often associated with the Olympics. While the pursuit of victory is central, the foundational ethos demands respect for the struggle of fellow competitors.
For Australian sport, Blizzard’s actions resonate deeply, showcasing an internationalist spirit that prioritizes human endeavor over nationalistic hoarding of resources. The bobsledding community, known for its tight bonds due to the shared risks and specialized nature of the sport, has witnessed a new benchmark for goodwill.
With the men’s two-man bobsleigh race scheduled just prior to the women’s event in Milano-Cortina, Blizzard and Johnson will soon be focused on their own Olympic journey. However, the knowledge that their crucial assistance helped two athletes achieve their lifelong ambition will undoubtedly add a unique layer of fulfillment to their own performance on the Pista Olimpica Eugenio Monti.
This story is a timely reminder that in the high-stakes world of Olympic competition, sometimes the most significant victories are those achieved not on the podium, but through the quiet, impactful acts of helping a rival fight well.
