Olympic Heartbreak: Norway's McGrath Loses Slalom Gold, Then Composure
In a dramatic turn of events at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Norway's Atle Lie McGrath experienced a devastating collapse in the men's slalom, losing not only a gold medal but also his emotional control in a moment of high-stakes sporting tragedy.
A Dream Unravels on the Slopes
McGrath, a 25-year-old skier born in Vermont but raised in Norway, entered the final run of the slalom with a commanding lead in his premier event. However, a critical error—straddling a gate—shattered his podium aspirations, handing victory to Switzerland's Loic Meillard. The mistake occurred directly in front of a Swiss coach, who celebrated as McGrath's hopes evaporated.
"I gave myself the absolute best opportunity you could today," McGrath later reflected. "I skied so great, and I still couldn’t get it done. So that’s what really hurts."
Emotional Outburst and Woodland Retreat
In the immediate aftermath, McGrath's frustration boiled over. He hurled his ski poles over the safety netting of the Stelvio course, climbed the fencing, and trudged through the snow toward the wilderness, where he lay on his back seeking solitude. "I thought that I would get some peace and quiet, which I didn’t," he admitted. "Because photographers and police found me out in the woods. But I just needed some time for myself."
More than two hours later, he addressed the media at a hotel in Bormio, revealing the profound personal grief compounding his Olympic disappointment. Racing with a heavy heart, McGrath had lost his grandfather on the day of the opening ceremony, wearing an armband in tribute. "I’ve lost someone I love so much and that makes it really hard," he confessed, explaining that his usual perspective on health and family had been overshadowed by sorrow.
Team Support and Shared Sympathy
Teammates expressed deep empathy for McGrath's ordeal. Timon Haugan, who finished fourth, noted, "What he’s gone through these last 10, 12 days, it’s been really tough. He’s been really sad. He started to do better and today he’s going through ... we need to really back him up today." Haugan described the situation as "heartbreaking," emphasizing how perfectly McGrath had skied until the fateful 15-second error.
Bronze medalist Henrik Kristoffersen, a fellow Norwegian who experienced a similar setback at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, offered perspective. "In the end, it’s another ski race. In the end, it’s not going to make or break Atle's career," he said. "He is a great skier. If he keeps going like he’s going, he will have great success for the future. This is just our sport." Kristoffersen defended McGrath's emotional reaction, stating, "That's allowed. This is sports. What are sports without the emotions?"
The Fickle Nature of Slalom
Winner Loic Meillard acknowledged the brutal unpredictability of slalom, where racers navigate a tight, weaving course. "The beauty of slalom is that when it works out it’s beautiful," Meillard said. "I was definitely sorry for him, but at the end, all the times he won when I skied out — that’s part of the game."
Looking ahead, McGrath plans to lean on loved ones for support. "I spent my time in the woods," he said with a laugh. "So now I’m going to spend time with the people I love and that’s all I need. I think I need quite a bit of time to process this and it’s going to be extremely tough." He expressed gratitude for being surrounded by caring individuals during this challenging period.
