Park City brothers experience 2022 Winter Olympics together

BEIJING — Like the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, family and friends aren’t allowed in Beijing to cheer on their loved ones who are competing.

COVID restrictions have kept the stadiums and venues mostly empty.

For some athletes who are used to hearing those cheers, it can be a lonely experience.

KSL’s Alex Cabrero spoke to two Team USA skiers from Park City who found a way around that.

“It’s just a wild scene here,” said Brad Wilson, a member of the U.S. Freestyle Moguls Team.

It’s one thing to make an Olympic team. It’s something else to make a third Olympic team.

“It’s pretty cool, man,” Wilson said.

Park City’s Brad Wilson is no stranger to Olympic competition. He’s been to Sochi, PyeongChang, and now Beijing.

“It’s different for sure. Each one was different,” he said. “This one is kind of cool, being my last, like, season — kind of no pressure or anything like that.”

Wilson knows his career is winding down, but that’s not the only reason why these Olympics are so special for him. It’s also because, for the first time, his brother, Bryon, is also here — as a coach for the team.

Family and friends of Olympic athletes aren't allowed at the Beijing Games. So, for US Freestyle Moguls skier Brad Wilson, it's a good thing his brother Bryon is also his coach. They're well known in the Park City ski scene. We'll have a story coming up @KSL5TV at 9:30 @kslsports pic.twitter.com/N5ozrqYdeN

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) February 6, 2022

“It’s pretty special to have family here, you know, because no one can really come to watch, and to have him as my supporter is pretty special,” Brad Wilson said.

His brother feels the same way.

“What’s really special about it, I get to stand in the gate with him as he drops down in the course,” Bryon Wilson said. “It really doesn’t get better than that. It’s a moment we’ll share together and won’t forget for the rest of our lives.”

Bryon is a pretty good moguls skier himself, having won the Bronze during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. But for all his accomplishments, he feels nothing would be better than seeing his brother win a medal.

“I’m super proud of him and I hope I can influence him to go kick some butt, ha!” he said.

Brad will give it his best, but medal or not, he knows these Games will always be special for him because his brother was right there.

“Only he understands what I’ve gone through, and only I understand what he’s gone through, and we share that moment for sure,” Brad said.

Wilson had a tough go during his qualification run and missed out on the finals.

Again, though, no matter where he finished, he had his brother right there with him, and being a three-time Olympian, that’s quite an accomplishment.