This Italian Dog is Winning the Olympics

Cross-country skiing doesn’t typically involve dogs, but perhaps a new Olympic sporting category is in order after a recent event. On February 18th, 2026, a dog wandered onto the cross-country course in Tesero, breaking into a full sprint right alongside Olympic racers.

This exhilarating chase happened during the women’s team sprint qualification at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, and we all got to react in real time. What exactly happened during this fateful race, and how did a dog manage to join the competition? Was anyone disqualified, and, most importantly, is the dog involved alright?

Here’s how one Italian dog joined the Olympics and competed in cross-country skiing, albeit without anyone else’s permission.

How This Extra Competitor Got Onto the Course

The Olympic games weren’t ready to meet Nazgul, a 2-year-old Czechoslovakian wolfdog. Reports from NBC and local Italian outlets claim that Nazgul wandered onto the course during a qualifying race, spotting the athletes charging down the final straight. It’s a key moment in the event, with two competitors neck and neck… until a third competitor arrived and began his relentless pursuit.

NPR’s reporting describes Nazgul as a local dog who apparently got loose from a nearby bed-and-breakfast, following his people toward the venue. He doesn’t appear panicked or lost in the footage, his confidence propelling him down the remaining track and even through the finish line behind two Olympic athletes.

How the Olympics Handled Their New Canine Competitor

Thankfully, Nazgul didn’t interfere with this particular event, ultimately running in the same direction as the athletes, keeping everyone safe and the event’s results official. Olympic security and staff quickly secured the dog, and the competitors stayed focused that the race continued without incident or complaint.

The finish-line photo system actually captured Nazgul crossing, which means the same technology used for razor-thin Olympic medal decisions ended up documenting some wolfdog’s random jaunt, too. Despite his illegal entry into the competition, Nazgul stole plenty of hearts as his photo-finish was captured moments behind the race’s actual athletes.

Speaking of the athletes, the skiers’ reactions were priceless. Croatian skier Tena Hadzic reportedly described the split-second confusion of seeing a dog in the homestretch and not immediately knowing what to do. Others were excited to have a dog on the course, with some athletes remarking how they were glad they weren’t racing at the time given their fear of dogs.

Still, both athletes made it through the finish line without incident, allocating only a bit of their professionalism to determine in the moment why exactly a dog ended up running alongside them.

What Happened to Nazgul After the Race?

Nazgul was quickly collared and returned home, completely unharmed and unaware he had done anything wrong. His home base at a bed-and-breakfast wasn’t far away, which is exactly how he ended up terrorizing the games to begin with.

Even Nazgul’s owner’s description fits him quite well, almost as if this bold run was anticipated. He told news outlets that Nazgul is “stubborn, but very sweet,” and it’s a relief he wasn’t frightened or aggressive toward anyone. Like any confident dog, Nazgul spotted motion and decided it was worth joining the chase, treating the finish line as a place he was allowed, nay, meant to be.

The Czechoslovakian Wolfdog Breed, Explained

To fully understand Nazgul’s motivations on the field, here’s a bit of background on his breed. Czechoslovakian wolfdogs were developed in the 1950s from controlled breeding programs between German Shepherds and Carpathian wolves, then stabilized into a recognized breed in Europe. These are dogs that are built for endurance and outdoor work, with quick reactions and high drives.

A long, straight lane filled with fast motion and crowd noise is something that would distract any dog, but especially a Czechoslovakian wolfdog. They are also extremely responsive and potentially reactive to their environments, which is why it’s a relief Nazgul was as good a boy as his owner claimed. These dogs can also reach top speeds of roughly 30 miles per hour, though they prefer endurance running over sprints.

Popularity for this breed remains niche compared with Huskies, German Shepherds, or Belgian Malinois, partly because the breed’s needs can be demanding in ordinary home life. A bored, underworked wolfdog is bound to cause trouble, if Nazgul is any indication. A dog like him, built for movement and stamina, likely wouldn’t have stopped if Olympic officials hadn’t gotten involved. He likely would’ve won the race too, if he had arrived on the track any sooner!

Nazgul Won Gold in the Eyes of the Internet

Ultimately, Nazgul became internet-famous in an instant, because who doesn’t love the Olympics and dogs? His brief foray into athletic fame will be remembered for years, perhaps even remarked upon in future winter Olympic games. After all, it’s not every day you get to ski alongside a wolfdog, especially one so eager to take home a gold medal.