[Photo=Yonhap]
A large dog ran onto the course during cross-country skiing at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, briefly joining the race.
In the women’s team sprint qualifying on Feb. 18 (Korea time) at the cross-country stadium in Tesero, Italy, a Czech wolfhound bounded onto the snow and ran behind the skiers.
The dog sprinted just behind Croatia’s Tena Hadzic, who finished 19th, and followed her all the way across the finish line.
Reuters reported that the dog started running after the athletes near the finish, paused briefly to sniff, then passed them and crossed the line.
Spectators laughed and cheered at the unexpected sight, and some stood to applaud.
The dog’s owner told NPR the pet is named “Nazgul,” after an evil spirit in “The Lord of the Rings.” He said the dog cried more than usual after watching them leave for the stadium, so he brought it along, adding that it likes people and follows them well.
The incident also drew attention among athletes. Sweden’s Jonna Sundling, who won, said, “It was really fun,” adding that she laughed because the dog seemed to want to come into the mixed zone as well.
Omega, the Olympics’ official timekeeper, added to the buzz by preserving the moment the dog crossed the finish line in a photo-finish image.
In the women’s team sprint qualifying on Feb. 18 (Korea time) at the cross-country stadium in Tesero, Italy, a Czech wolfhound bounded onto the snow and ran behind the skiers.
The dog sprinted just behind Croatia’s Tena Hadzic, who finished 19th, and followed her all the way across the finish line.
Reuters reported that the dog started running after the athletes near the finish, paused briefly to sniff, then passed them and crossed the line.
Spectators laughed and cheered at the unexpected sight, and some stood to applaud.
The dog’s owner told NPR the pet is named “Nazgul,” after an evil spirit in “The Lord of the Rings.” He said the dog cried more than usual after watching them leave for the stadium, so he brought it along, adding that it likes people and follows them well.
The incident also drew attention among athletes. Sweden’s Jonna Sundling, who won, said, “It was really fun,” adding that she laughed because the dog seemed to want to come into the mixed zone as well.
Omega, the Olympics’ official timekeeper, added to the buzz by preserving the moment the dog crossed the finish line in a photo-finish image.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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