Loose dog makes Olympic cameo on the cross-country ski course at the Milan Cortina Games

By: The Associated Press Posted: 11:25 AM CST Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026 Last Modified: 2:51 PM CST Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

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TESERO, Italy (AP) — A surprise participant in Wednesday’s action at the Milan Cortina Olympics had four legs and zero concern for race times.

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TESERO, Italy (AP) — A surprise participant in Wednesday’s action at the Milan Cortina Olympics had four legs and zero concern for race times.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/02/2026 (230 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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.

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.

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AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics