Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, a Norwegian-Brazilian skier, was awarded a symbolic check for R$ 350,000 by the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) on Friday, September 20. This recognition comes after his historic victory in the giant slalom event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, where he achieved the first-ever gold medal for Latin America in this tournament that has been held since 1924. The COB traditionally awards a financial amount to all Brazilian athletes who win Olympic gold medals, acknowledging their dedication and efforts throughout their athletic careers.

The COB's president, Marco La Porta, emphasized the importance of this recognition, highlighting it as a reward for the hard work and passion that Lucas demonstrated in representing Brazil at the international level. La Porta stated that this award is a testament to Lucas's commitment to his sport and to his Brazilian identity, which he embraced passionately since beginning his journey in alpine skiing. The recognition aims to inspire not only Lucas but also future generations of Brazilian athletes who aspire to compete on the Olympic stage.

This milestone for Lucas also signifies an important victory for Brazilian sports, particularly in winter sports, where athletes typically face significant challenges due to less infrastructure compared to other countries. His win and the consequent acknowledgment by the COB serve to enhance visibility for winter sports in Brazil and encourage investment and interest in, what has traditionally been considered less popular sports in the nation, paving the way for more athletes to pursue their dreams in the Olympic arena.