Atle Lie McGrath trudged towards the woods after being eliminated in the Olympic final. © ANSA / ANNA SZILAGYI

Ski drama at the Olympics: This is why McGrath fled into the forest

Images of Atle Lie McGrath's escape into the forest went around the world: Now the Norwegian ski racer has spoken about his feelings after the bitter slalom exit at the Olympics.

February 17, 2026

From: cst/dpa

“I just needed to get away from everything. I thought I would find some peace and quiet – which wasn’t the case, because photographers and police found me in the woods. I just needed some time for myself,” the 25-year-old said hours after being eliminated.

“Normally I’m someone who can put things into perspective. If I don’t perform well in a race, I can at least tell myself that I’m healthy, that my family is healthy, and that the people I love are there.” But this time that wasn’t the case.

McGrath: "I have lost someone I love so much"

His grandfather had died on the day of the opening ceremony. "I lost someone I love so much, and that makes it really hard." He had hoped to end this difficult time on a positive note, McGrath said. "I've had to endure so much hardship and stay really strong. That makes it even harder."

Atle Lie McGrath was devastated after the slalom. © APA/afp / DIMITAR DILKOFF

McGrath had started the second run in Bormio in the lead with a significant advantage, but then straddled a gate and was eliminated. Deeply disappointed, McGrath then threw his ski poles away in a high arc and He then set off on foot towards the forest. The Scandinavian ran across the entire piste, passed the course boundary, kept going and going – and finally let himself fall down in the snow near some trees.

"One of the hardest moments of my life"

“It’s not the worst moment of my life, but it’s the worst moment of my career – and with everything that’s just happened, one of the hardest moments of my life,” said McGrath, who leads the slalom World Cup standings after a strong season so far. “I’ve spent my time in the woods, now I’m going to spend time with the people I love – and that’s all I need.”