Construction worker wins first Olympic gold medal at 2026 Winter Olympics.

olympic - Ảnh 1. — Franjo von Allmen is the first athlete to win a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics - Photo: AFP

The first gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics went to Franjo von Allmen, a 24-year-old Swiss man, in the men's downhill skiing event.

With a time of 1 minute 51.61 seconds, he beat host nation Italy's hopeful Giovanni Franzoni to claim the top spot on the podium.

But few know that behind that glittering gold medal lies a challenging journey of an athlete who once had to "knock on the door" of the community to nurture his dream.

From construction site to Olympic glory

Unlike most of his competitors who received formal training at prestigious ski academies, Von Allmen's path was much more challenging.

According to The Guardian , Allmen started skiing at the age of two in the Jaun Pass near his home.

However, at the age of 17, a major tragedy struck when his father passed away. Losing the family's breadwinner, the young man faced the risk of having to give up his passion. To continue skiing, Von Allmen had to raise funds from the community.

But that wasn't all; during the summer months, instead of training in ideal conditions, he had to work on construction sites to earn money to support himself and his career.

It was those days of hard manual labor that forged Franjo von Allmen into a resilient person, both physically and mentally.

"I had to work twice as hard as others, and that shaped who I am," the Swiss athlete shared. His experience on the dusty construction site helped him build a strong physical foundation, a weapon that allowed him to stand firm on the high-speed race track.

This achievement by the athlete born in 2001 also earned the admiration of Franzoni, who won the silver medal after losing to him by just 0.2 seconds.

"It was amazing to be on the podium with Allmen; he's a great guy and a tough opponent," the Italian athlete shared.

The pride of the villagers.

In his hometown of Boltigen, in the Obersimmental region of Switzerland, Von Allmen is loved for his simplicity and tireless efforts.

olympic - Ảnh 2. — The Olympic gold medal is a well-deserved reward for Franjo von Allmen's efforts - Photo: AFP

When he began making a name for himself in youth competitions, the village butcher honored him by creating a special sausage called "Silberblitz-Wurscht" (Silver Lightning Sausage).

But after its dazzling performance at Bormio, perhaps the butcher will have to rename this dish "Goldblitz".

From a relatively new name, Allmen has now become a new symbol of the 2026 Winter Olympics. This gold medal is not only a victory of speed, but also a victory of unwavering willpower in overcoming adversity.

As of 10:00 AM on February 8th, five countries have won gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Italy, Japan, and Norway are currently sharing the top three positions.