Atle Lie McGrath’s Olympic Dreams Shattered in Bormio
Bormio, Italy – February 16, 2026 – The men’s slalom competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics concluded in a heartbreaking and unexpected fashion. Norwegian ski star Atle Lie McGrath, the frontrunner after a dominant first run, tragically lost his chance at gold in the second run, succumbing to the pressure and the challenging course.
McGrath set the pace in the first run with a blistering time of 56.14 seconds. Benefitting from an early start number (1) amidst heavy snowfall and limited visibility, he delivered a flawless performance that no other competitor could match. He appeared poised to claim the coveted Olympic gold medal.
A Crushing Second Run
However, the second run brought a devastating turn of events. As the last skier to descend, with gold within reach, McGrath faltered just seconds into his run, losing control and crashing out of the race. The clear leader and overwhelming favourite was suddenly eliminated.
The disappointment was palpable. McGrath reacted with visible frustration, initially expressing his anger verbally. He forcefully discarded his ski poles, unbuckled his skis and shin guards, and walked away from the course alone. Before leaving the track, he crawled under the safety netting and collapsed into the snow in a moment of raw emotion.
He eventually reached the edge of the forest, collapsing heavily and struggling to catch his breath as he processed the devastating outcome. The scene was particularly poignant given the emotional turmoil McGrath has been experiencing.
A Personal Tragedy
Just over a week before the race, McGrath suffered the loss of his grandfather during the Olympic opening ceremony. Despite this profound grief, the 25-year-old bravely chose to compete in Bormio, hoping to honour his grandfather’s memory. The loss of the gold medal, therefore, carried an even heavier weight.
ZDF expert Marco Büchel expressed deep sympathy for McGrath, stating, “It was a terrible sight. There are two hearts in my chest right now. For him, this is the worst day in a long time.”
A Course Riddled with Challenges
The slalom race was marked by a high rate of attrition. Of the 96 starters in the first run, only 44 finished. Other prominent skiers, including Manuel Feller, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, and Clément Noël, also failed to complete the course. German competitor Linus Straßer finished ninth, expressing his dissatisfaction with the games.
Loïc Meillard of Switzerland ultimately claimed the gold medal, with Fabio Gstrein of Austria taking silver and Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway securing bronze. The race will be remembered not only for Meillard’s victory but also for the heartbreaking story of Atle Lie McGrath and the challenging conditions that plagued the competition.
You can find more information about the 2026 Winter Olympics on the official Olympic website.
