Australian Rugby Star Desi Johnson Is All Smiles as She Preps for Two-Woman Bobsleigh Showdown

Desi Johnson kicked off her Olympic journey with a picture-perfect winter backdrop. On Thursday, February 12, the Australian bobsledder shared a series of snaps to Instagram from Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, giving followers a glimpse into her first moments on the ground.

The Olympic athlete and professional rugby league player, 24, looked bundled up and beaming as she posed in front of the iconic Olympic rings surrounded by snow-covered mountains. Johnson wore a deep green, full-length winter coat emblazoned with the Australian Olympic team emblem, pairing it with matching green pants and sturdy snow boots fit for the alpine setting.

In one close-up shot, she smiled shyly with her chin tucked into the high collar of the coat, while another full-body image captured her standing confidently beneath the towering rings.

She also shared a casual mirror selfie from inside a boutique, trading her heavy outerwear for a gray hoodie with bold “Australia” lettering across the chest. A black baseball cap and braided pigtails completed the laid-back look, while her accreditation badge hung around her neck.

In the caption, Johnson wrote, “What a start to my time in Cortina. Get excited, next week is go time!” She added that she would be competing on the 20th and 21st in the two-woman bobsleigh event, marking another major milestone in her already impressive sporting career.