Oriol Cardona, who recently achieved Olympic glory at the Milan-Cortina Games in mountain skiing, has an interesting background that includes a newfound passion for piano, which he learned through YouTube tutorials. Despite only being able to play three songs and not reading music, he uses this hobby as a method to cope with the pressures of competitive sports. Cardona resides in a modest apartment in Font-Romeu, where his keyboard helps him maintain focus away from the anxieties of skiing.

Since the International Olympic Committee introduced mountain skiing as an official Olympic discipline in 2021, Cardona recognized the opportunity it presented. Originally hesitant about his potential, Cardona's lineage plays a significant role in his journey; he is the son of Joan Cardona, a pioneer in the sport, and the younger brother of Nil Cardona, a world runner-up in team skiing. This familial influence pushed Oriol to rise beyond self-doubt and embrace his capabilities on the Olympic stage.

Cardona's story exemplifies the spirit of determination in sports, as he not only has to navigate the competitive landscape of mountain skiing but also deal with personal pressures stemming from his family's history in the sport. His Olympic success symbolizes both individual achievement and the impact of nurturing talent through family support, highlighting the significance of emotional well-being in high-performance sports.