TESERO, Italy (AP) — A surprise participant in Wednesday’s action at the Milan Cortina Olympics had four legs and zero concern for race times.
As elite cross-country skiers pushed to the finish in the women’s team sprint heats, a dog wandered onto the course and ran with athletes down the straightaway.
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In this image taken from video provided by Olympic Broadcasting Services, OBS, a dog runs onto the track near the finish during the heats of the cross-country skiing women’s team sprint free at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Tesero, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (Olympic Broadcasting Services via AP)
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In this image taken from video provided by Olympic Broadcasting Services, OBS, a dog runs onto the track near the finish during the heats of the cross-country skiing women’s team sprint free at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Tesero, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (Olympic Broadcasting Services via AP)
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Racers stayed focused as spectators cheered on the canine intruder before it crossed the finish line and was restrained by venue officials.
The dog had slipped away from a local owner while out on a nearby walk, officials later said.
The incident came on the same day and the same course where Olympic history was made: Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway won his record 10th gold medal and his fifth of the Milan Cortina Games.
AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
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