Vanessa Herzog from Innsbruck has to end her Olympic Games. © ANSA / ROBERT GHEMENT

Before her signature event: North Tyrolean woman has to abandon the Olympics

Speed ​​skater Vanessa Herzog from Innsbruck will not compete again at the Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina. The reason: a back injury.

February 10, 2026

From: cst/apa

The North Tyrolean athlete, who finished only 24th out of 30 competitors in Monday's 1.000m race, announced her decision on Tuesday. The 30-year-old had started the race after suffering from severe back pain in recent weeks, but had subsequently left open the possibility of competing in her signature event.

The day after, it was essentially "games over" for the Austrian. "Now I've reached the point where the pain is unbearable again. I can't race like this. I really tried everything, but it's just not meant to be."

Two fourth-place finishes, now out of the running: The Olympics seem to be cursed for Herzog. © APA/afp / DANIEL MUNOZ

Herzog finished fourth at the 2018 and 2022 Olympics and returned to the ice in Milan a week and a half ago after a three-week forced break due to a herniated disc and bilateral inflammation of the sacroiliac joint. The pain first appeared around Christmas. Herzog will now end her season. Whether the former world champion will make another Olympic bid for a medal in 2030, when she will be 34, is currently undecided.