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Olympic Wives: A Skeleton Love Story
13 Feb
Summary
- Two wives from Belgium and Brazil compete together.
- They form 'Team BB' with shared coaches and staff.
- The couple advocates for LGBTQ+ rights in Italy.
Kim Meylemans, 29, from Belgium, and Nicole Silveira, 31, from Brazil, are making waves at the Winter Olympics not just as competitors in the thrilling sport of skeleton, but also as a married couple. They have formed their own unit, dubbed 'Team BB,' pooling resources that include a shared chef, sprinting coach, physiotherapist, and training equipment.
Their journey to the Olympics is as unique as their relationship. They met in 2019 on the skeleton World Cup circuit and bonded over shared accommodations during the Covid-19 pandemic. They became engaged in 2024 and married last year in Calgary, Alberta. The couple are also prominent ambassadors for Pride House in Milan, speaking out against the rollback of LGBTQ+ rights in Italy.
Both athletes have different paths to skeleton. Meylemans discovered the sport in Germany, while Silveira was recruited by Brazilian bobsledders in Canada before trying skeleton. Despite competing against each other, they view it as a shared effort, with a win for one being a win for 'Team BB.' Their Olympic journey, potentially their last, is marked by both fierce competition and unwavering support for one another.
