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Champion breaks silence after his escape in the woods at Olympics

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Norwegian skier Atle McGrath was one of the big stars at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics: his escape to the woods after being eliminated in the slalom when he was leading the race went around the world and became one of the most indelible images of the Games in Italy. Now the Nordic champion on social media has returned to talk about the’episode, and his post on Instagram immediately went viral.

“I spent last week thinking a lot about why I choose to live the life I live. All the sacrifices I make, the time spent away from my loved ones and all the pressure that comes with it. Is it to win races or medals? No. Is it to become a skier that people will remember? No, I do it because it makes me feel something. I have felt almost every emotion in the last few weeks. Mourning, anger, disappointment, happiness, pride”.

Luca FranzosiHe gets eliminated and takes refuge in the woods, pictures

He is eliminated and takes refuge in the woods, the images
Huge disappointment for Atle Lie McGrath during the men’s special slalom
In the first run of the slalom he was the fastest, then the unimaginable
In the second run, while still fighting for the gold medal, he forked a door

The disappointment was too much: Atle Lie McGrath immediately headed into the woods to hide from the cameras
A really sad scene: it must've been huge the frustration of the very strong Norwegian athlete

Atle Lie McGrath overcame the safety net and approached the trees
The champion stayed only for a few minutes to work off the disappointment after the serious mistake
The gold medal went to Swiss champion Loïc Meillard

The offspring is taking great satisfaction in the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina
Loïc Meillard had already won the silver medal in the combined team event
In Milan Cortina the Swiss also won the bronze medal in the giant slalom

“The’only thing I can say is this: ‘Well yes I am sad, but at the same time I am really happy that something can make me feel so sad. It makes me feel alive you know, it makes me feel human. The’only way I could feel so sad now is to feel something really good before. So I have to take the bad with the good. I think what I feel is like a beautiful sadness’” wrote McGrath quoting Butters, a character from the cartoon ‘South Park’.

“Having said that I am better now and mostly thanks to each and every one of you who thought of me – continued the’athlete. “It was overwhelming to see all the support and I also found so much strength as so many people felt the same way in life. To all those who are going through something difficult now I send back all my love and strength. And remember, every once in a while it is okay to take a walk in the woods and sit under a tree. It made me feel much better”.

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