Aj Ginnis ended his career at the Bormio Olympics. © ANSA / GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO

An emotional end to his career moves the ski world.

After the first slalom run at the Winter Games, ski racer Linus Straßer reacted angrily to the strict rules imposed by the Olympic organizers. The German had actually wanted to greet his good friend AJ Ginnis at the finish line, as Ginnis was competing in his last race.

February 16, 2026

From: dpa/dl

But when Strasser ran into the finish area, he was held back by an official. "That's typical of the Olympics, isn't it?" the German said when asked about it. "Just let things happen for once... but okay, all for the show, for the sterile atmosphere."

In alpine ski racing, it is customary for athletes to be greeted by rivals and companions at the finish line after their final runs. The Greek skier Ginnis (31), the sensational 2023 slalom world championship silver medalist, had barely been able to ski for two years due to a serious ankle injury. Even before that, injuries had prevented him from competing in the 2018 and 2022 Olympic Games.

After botched surgery: Ginnis has to end his career

He didn't want to miss out on these games and wanted to give it another try. But his injury was too painful in training. "Complications from the last operation make it impossible for me to ski at the level the sport demands. That's the reality," he wrote on Instagram. Strasser recounted: "I met him as he was getting into the gondola; he was completely distraught. Even such a strong guy needed a hug."

"He was completely distraught. Even such a strong guy needed a hug." Linus Strasser on AJ Ginnis

Ginnis also skied out of the starting gate, but then immediately slid alongside the gates towards the finish line and waved goodbye. At the bottom, Strasser was the first to throw his arms around him – albeit only in the area directly next to the finish line.