Norwegian freestyle skier Audun Grønvold experienced a heart-stopping moment during Winter Olympics training when a lightning bolt struck perilously close to him. The dramatic incident, captured on video, shows Grønvold narrowly avoiding disaster as the bolt hits the ground mere metres away.
The 26-year-old athlete was preparing for the ski cross event when sudden stormy weather rolled in. "I felt the electricity in the air," Grønvold later recalled. "Then suddenly there was this enormous flash and bang right beside me. I've never moved so fast in my life."
Close Call Captured on Camera
Footage of the incident quickly went viral, showing the skier reacting with impressive reflexes as the lightning strikes the snowy slope. Safety officials immediately suspended training sessions following the near-miss, implementing stricter weather monitoring protocols.
"This serves as an important reminder that nature doesn't care about competition schedules," commented Olympic safety coordinator Lars Jensen. "We're reviewing all our extreme weather procedures to ensure athlete safety remains our top priority."
Athlete Shaken But Unharmed
Remarkably, Grønvold escaped without physical injury, though he admitted to being psychologically shaken by the experience. "It makes you appreciate how vulnerable we are out there," the skier told reporters. "One second you're focused on your technique, the next you're literally running for your life."
Team Norway's sports psychologist has been working with Grønvold to help him process the traumatic event ahead of his scheduled competition. Coaches report the athlete is recovering well and remains determined to compete.
Weather Challenges at Winter Games
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges extreme weather presents for winter sports. From heavy snowfalls to unseasonably warm temperatures, athletes frequently must adapt to unpredictable conditions beyond their control.
Meteorologists note that while lightning is relatively rare during winter sports events, climate change may be increasing the frequency of such dangerous weather anomalies at traditionally cold-weather competitions.
