Dog on Olympic Ski Course Causes Race Delay in Tesero

A dog briefly stopped the Olympic cross-country ski race in Tesero. This is similar to a past event where a dog also ran onto a ski slope.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

A dog on the ski course briefly disrupted a Winter Olympics women's team cross-country race, raising concerns about potential safety risks. The incident, which saw a wolf-like dog on the track, occurred during the qualification rounds in Tesero.

Is that a hu-ski?! Runaway dog risks causing 'disaster' at Winter Olympics after interrupting women's team cross country race - 1

The dog's appearance on the course led to a temporary halt in the competition. Officials worked to clear the animal before the race could resume.

Is that a hu-ski?! Runaway dog risks causing 'disaster' at Winter Olympics after interrupting women's team cross country race - 2

Event Disruption

During the women's team cross-country qualifiers, a dog identified as resembling a wolf entered the competition area. Reports indicate the animal ran onto the track and appeared to chase some of the athletes.

Is that a hu-ski?! Runaway dog risks causing 'disaster' at Winter Olympics after interrupting women's team cross country race - 3

  • The dog's presence caused an interruption to the ongoing race.

  • Marshals were involved in attempting to manage the situation.

Owner Comes Forward

Following the incident, the dog's owner reportedly came forward. The owner stated the dog's name is Nazgul, a two-year-old animal that had apparently escaped from their home.

Is that a hu-ski?! Runaway dog risks causing 'disaster' at Winter Olympics after interrupting women's team cross country race - 4

"He doesn't hurt people. Very stubborn, very sweet and very social. He always seeks contact with people."

The owner described Nazgul as a dog that seeks human interaction and is not aggressive.

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Broader Context of Winter Games Incidents

This dog intrusion is one of several notable occurrences during recent Winter Olympic events. Reports from other competitions highlight various disruptions and controversies.

  • Bormio Super-G: A similar event occurred at a World Cup super-G race in Bormio, where a runaway dog interrupted the competition for over five minutes. The dog evaded marshals before its removal from the slope.

  • Finnish Coach Dismissal: At the 2026 Winter Olympics, a Finnish ski jump coach was reportedly sent home due to alcohol use.

  • Ski Jumper Suit Allegations: Male ski jumpers faced scrutiny and rumors regarding the alleged use of "crotch fillers" to enhance their aerodynamics and potentially improve their performance with larger suits. One athlete, Heraskevych, was disqualified following a review of his suit.

Analysis of Safety Protocols

The presence of a dog on an Olympic course prompts questions about the effectiveness of existing safety measures and course management protocols designed to prevent such intrusions.

  • While the dog appeared to be social and did not directly injure athletes, its presence on a high-speed ski course presents a clear hazard.

  • The successful evasion of marshals in both the cross-country and super-G incidents suggests potential gaps in the surveillance and control of competition areas.

Conclusion and Implications

The interruption by Nazgul at the Winter Olympics cross-country event, while seemingly minor, underscores a recurring issue of animal intrusions at major sporting competitions.

  • The incident led to a temporary halt in the women's team cross-country qualifiers.

  • The owner confirmed the dog's identity and escape from home.

  • Similar occurrences at other events, such as the Bormio super-G, suggest a pattern that warrants review by event organizers.

  • Further examination of security and course monitoring protocols may be necessary to prevent future disruptions and ensure athlete safety.

Sources:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why was the Olympic women's cross-country ski race stopped in Tesero?
A dog ran onto the ski track during the qualification rounds, causing officials to pause the competition for safety.
Q: What happened after the dog entered the course?
Marshals worked to remove the dog from the slope so the race could continue. The owner later came forward to claim the animal.
Q: Was anyone hurt by the dog during the Olympic race?
No, the dog, named Nazgul, did not hurt any athletes. The owner said the dog is friendly and seeks contact with people.
Q: Has a dog ever stopped a ski race before?
Yes, a similar incident happened at a World Cup super-G race in Bormio where a dog also ran onto the course and delayed the competition.
Q: What happens next after the dog incident at the Olympics?
Organizers may look into security and course monitoring to prevent animals from entering competition areas in the future to ensure athlete safety.