Eve Muirhead’s name has long been synonymous with British curling excellence, and now the former Olympic champion is gearing up for yet another shot at winter‑games glory. After stepping away from the ice in 2022, the 32‑year‑old skip has taken on high‑profile administrative roles within Team GB, only to discover that the competitive fire inside her has not been extinguished. In a candid interview with Sky Sports, Muirhead explained that she feels a renewed sense of purpose and wants to complete her personal medal collection by targeting the mixed‑doubles event at the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps.
Muirhead’s journey began in 2010, when she qualified for her first Olympic Games at the age of 20. Over the next twelve years she helped Great Britain climb the podium three times: a bronze in Sochi 2014, a heartbreaking fourth‑place finish in PyeongChang 2018 that left many observers convinced the team should have taken gold, and finally the ultimate triumph in Beijing 2022, where she captained the women’s four‑person squad to the top of the podium.
After that victory she announced her retirement, citing the exhaustion that follows a four‑year Olympic cycle and a desire to explore life beyond sport. Retirement, however, did not mean a complete withdrawal from the world of elite athletics.
Within two years, Muirhead was appointed to lead the British delegation at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, a role that showcased her organisational talents and strategic insight. Her success there led to an even more surprising appointment: Chef de Mission for Team GB at the 2026 Milan‑Cortina Games.
Traditionally, that position is reserved for seasoned administrators with decades of experience, yet Muirhead’s fresh perspective and recent athlete experience made her a compelling choice. Her rapid ascent into senior leadership highlighted how former competitors can bring valuable, on‑the‑ground knowledge to the administrative side of sport.
Despite these achievements, an inner “sporting itch” persisted. While she had already secured an Olympic gold in the women’s team event, Muirhead has never captured a medal in mixed doubles—a discipline that offers a distinct set of challenges and opportunities. She believes that winning in both formats would represent a complete personal legacy.
"The opportunity was there and I feel like that kind of the fire's re‑lit," she told Sky Sports. "I want to prove that you can take a break, have a family, start another career, and still come back to compete at the highest level." Muirhead’s mixed‑doubles partnership with Bobby Lammie has already shown promise.
After missing selection for the Beijing mixed‑doubles competition, the pair won the British national title and subsequently claimed the World Championship, confirming they are among the world’s elite duos. Their chemistry, tactical acumen, and complementary skill sets give them a realistic shot at Olympic success, and Muirhead sees the 2030 Games as the perfect stage to finish what she began.
The decision to relocate from Scotland to the North West of England after retirement marked a significant personal shift. The move coincided with the start of a new professional chapter outside of sport, but it also placed her in a region with a growing curling community and better access to training facilities. Over the past few years, societal attitudes toward female athletes taking career breaks have evolved, creating a more supportive environment for comebacks. Muirhead cites role models such as Serena Williams and Lindsey Vonn—both of whom retired at their peaks only to return later—as sources of inspiration.
Their stories illustrate that stepping away does not have to signal the end of competitive ambition. When asked whether she ever imagined returning to elite competition, Muirhead admitted she once thought it impossible. "I never thought I could step back and, four years later, be back on the ice at the highest level," she said.
Today, she believes the landscape has changed dramatically for women. "Opportunities are growing, and more female athletes are coming back stronger after having children, relocating, or pursuing other careers. It shows that a break can actually fuel greater determination." Muirhead also reflected on why she needed that break in the first place.
She described the period away from curling as essential for mental and physical recovery. "I could count on one hand the number of stones I've thrown since retiring," she joked, but emphasized that the time away allowed her to reset, regain perspective, and return with a calmer mindset. This balance of rest and renewed ambition, she believes, is crucial for sustaining long‑term success in any high‑performance sport.
The competitive drive that defines elite athletes does not simply vanish with retirement. For Muirhead, the desire to win remains a core part of her identity. When asked if she was returning solely to chase another gold medal, she smiled and replied, "I'm definitely going back to push hard for number one and get selected.
It will be a tough road, but that’s the dream." Looking ahead, Muirhead acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead. Securing a spot on the Olympic roster will require rigorous training, consistent results on the World Curling Tour, and navigating the internal selection process. Yet she remains confident that her experience, leadership qualities, and the proven partnership with Lammie give her a realistic pathway to the 2030 Games.
In summary, Eve Muirhead’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and an unyielding love for curling. From her early debut in Vancouver 2010 to her gold‑medal triumph in Beijing, from administrative leadership roles to a potential mixed‑doubles comeback, she exemplifies how athletes can reinvent themselves while staying true to their competitive roots. As the countdown to the 2030 Winter Olympics begins, the curling world will be watching closely to see if Muirhead can add a mixed‑doubles gold to her already impressive résumé, completing a rare and remarkable double‑discipline Olympic legacy.