In a cruel twist of fate, a Norwegian skier who was hoping to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy has announced that he will have to skip the event due to a severe allergy to snow.
The skier, whose name has not been revealed for privacy reasons, said that he developed the condition a few years ago and that it causes him to suffer from rashes, sneezing, and breathing problems whenever he comes into contact with snow.
“I don’t know how it happened, but I suddenly became allergic to snow. It’s a nightmare for me. I love skiing and I have been dreaming of the Olympics since I was a kid, but now I can’t even touch the snow without feeling miserable,” he said.
He said that he tried various treatments and medications, but nothing worked. He also considered wearing a protective suit or skiing on artificial snow, but he said that it would not be fair to the other competitors or to the spirit of the Olympics.
“I have to accept the reality that I can’t ski anymore. It’s very sad and frustrating, but I have no choice. I hope that one day I will find a cure for this weird allergy and that I will be able to ski again,” he said.
He said that he will still support his teammates and watch the Olympics on TV. He also thanked his fans and sponsors for their understanding and sympathy.
The Norwegian Ski Federation confirmed the news and expressed its sorrow for the skier. It said that it will try to find a replacement for him in the Olympic team.
“This is a very unfortunate situation for him and for us. He is a great skier and a great person, and we are very sorry that he can’t compete in the Olympics. We wish him all the best and we hope that he will recover soon,” it said.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy will take place from February 6 to February 22, 2026. Norway is one of the leading countries in winter sports and has won the most medals in the history of the Winter Olympics.