At the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, a German athlete overcame his fear of heights to achieve a gold medal in ski jumping.
The 2026 Winter Olympics are underway in Italy, and athletes are already winning medals. One of the most talked-about features of the games is the use of drones to film events like downhill skiing, luge, and snowboarding, creating some incredible and widely shared footage.
The technology has also enhanced ski jumping broadcasts, giving viewers a clearer view of the athletes as they prepare to jump and while they’re in flight.
Philipp Raimund of Germany won the gold medal in Monday’s ski jumping competition, soaring 106 meters and earning a total of 274.1 points across both jumps. The 25-year-old athlete overcame his fear of heights to achieve this victory on the 110-meter hill.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Philipp Raimund (@hilleraimund)
German Olympian conquers fear of heights to win gold
Raimund confessed he’s afraid of heights, but generally manages it. However, he had to cancel his participation in an event scheduled for March 2025.
After that, the German player used Instagram to explain why he couldn’t attend the event, saying it’s not normally an issue for him. The post quickly gained a lot of attention online.
As many of you know, I’m afraid of heights. I generally manage it well, and it doesn’t usually bother me when ski jumping. However, sometimes – especially during ski flying – my body reacts involuntarily. I briefly lose control, and for about a second and a half, I just watch what’s happening while secured in the starting gate. But I’ll never compete unless I feel completely prepared and confident.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Philipp Raimund (@hilleraimund)
Many fans have also shared their support for Raimund on social media, applauding him for overcoming recent challenges.
People celebrated the athlete’s perseverance, with one commenter saying it was amazing to watch their journey through all the challenges and successes. Another fan described the moment as incredibly moving, saying they were shouting with joy and even cried – a truly unforgettable sports moment.
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2026-02-11 13:20