Perthshire curler Eve Muirhead was bursting with pride and emotion after winning gold at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
The Team GB skip, Vicky Wright, Jen Dodds, Hailey Duff and alternate Mili Smith, the latter from Guildtown, earned the plaudits of a nation after a stunning showdown performance at the Ice Cube in Beijing on Sunday.
A 10-3 final win against Japan ensured it was a dream come true moment for Muirhead, from Blair Atholl and who was attending her fourth Olympics.
“The girls have helped me become a better curler and they have also helped me become a better person,” Muirhead said.
“Without them I wouldn’t be here and it’s such an incredible, incredible moment.
“It was emotional for sure. I managed to hold it in until the flag was getting raised.
“It’s been an Olympic Games that’s not been easy. We came here knowing that every game was going to be tough.
“We definitely kept the best to last and I’m so proud of the girls in how we played.
“If you can bring your A game in an Olympic final, that just shows what fantastic abilities we all have.”
Muirhead became the first British skip to win Olympic gold since Rhona Martin’s triumph in Salt Lake City 20 years ago.
There was an additional piece of history by becoming the first British curler to win two Olympic medals, having claimed bronze in Sochi in 2014.
Both Muirhead and alternate Smith, a former Perth Academy pupil, grew up playing the game at Dewars Centre in the Fair City.
“Mili has been such a great asset to us,” Muirhead said. “You’ll know the name Smith in the curling world.
“Her brothers Kyle and Cammy were at the Olympic Games back in Pyeongchang along with my brothers and the talent she has is also phenomenal.
“People don’t see it, but the work Mili puts in behind the scenes is something that, if it didn’t happen, we wouldn’t be here.
“So we’re a very strong team and, when we come together, we have shown we are capable of very great things.”
