Olympics 2026: Big Air final postponed due to weather — Kateryna Kotsar as No. 2 in the final; Ukrainian Armed Forces officer proposed
The start of the final was postponed indefinitely — a test of endurance for the athletes. Ukrainian Kateryna Kotsar became the first Ukrainian ever to reach a big‑air final; after advancing she received a marriage proposal.
By Tetiana Suchkova-Ladik
February 16, 2026 · 1 min read
Weather delays the start — official statement
According to UNN citing the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, the start of the final in the big‑air discipline at the Winter Olympic Games has been postponed indefinitely. A new start time will be announced later.
“Due to difficult weather conditions, the start of the final in the big‑air discipline has been postponed indefinitely.”
— National Olympic Committee of Ukraine
Why this matters for the athletes and for Ukraine
Big‑air depends on the weather: gusts of wind and visibility affect safety and the level playing field for all participants. The postponement is not a dramatic “cancellation” but a standard practice when risks outweigh sporting rationale. For our athletes this is an additional test of psychological endurance — it is important to maintain concentration and readiness while the wait continues.
Kateryna Kotsar’s historic advancement
Most importantly for Ukraine: Kateryna Kotsar has, for the first time in history, reached the final in big‑air. She will start with start number 2, underscoring her competitiveness at this level.
A moment beyond sport: a proposal from a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer
After advancing to the final, according to media reports, one of the officers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to propose to Kateryna. It is a neutral but powerful symbol: sport and service, the personal and the public, intertwine on the international stage where Ukrainian athletes now carry not only individual but also national responsibility.
What’s next
Organizers will announce a new start time later. For the Ukrainian team the priorities are clear: safety, preparation and preserving the competition format in which the result will depend on skill rather than the whims of the weather. Emotional moments, such as the proposal, add a human dimension to the story — but the main focus now remains sporting: the finish that will show progress and character.
Sources: UNN, National Olympic Committee of Ukraine. Date of publication: 15.02.2026.
