Atle Lie McGrath faces a difficult start to the Olympic Games. © Social Media

Tears before the Olympics: "I will give everything for him"

Many athletes experienced unforgettable moments at the Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina over the past few days. However, one Norwegian ski star found no joy: he shed tears before his first race because of a death in the family.

February 08, 2026

From: leo

Following the classic downhill race on the legendary Stelvio, the newly added Olympic team combined event will take place in Bormio on Monday. Not only the South Tyroleans are aiming for a medal. not only the Norwegian team, but also the Norwegian team of Adrian Smiseth Sejersted and Atle Lie McGrath. For the slalom ace, the race will be particularly special for a sad reason.

As the Norwegian announced on social media, his grandfather passed away on Friday. "I've just had some of the toughest days of my life," McGrath said tearfully at a press conference on Sunday. "I miss my grandpa so much. He brought me here and he's also the reason I'm driving tomorrow. He would have wanted it this way. I'll give it my all for him, for Norway, and for Adrian (Sejersted)."

McGrath remembers his grandfather

On Instagram, the 25-year-old explained the huge void his grandfather leaves in his life. "It hurts incredibly to write these words. You fell asleep during the opening ceremony on Friday. I feel so lucky to have had the best grandpa and to have spent so much of my life with you."

Atle Lie McGrath mourns his grandfather. © Social Media

McGrath also shared an anecdote from his childhood. “Every time we went into the woods, you would drag me through the bushes to take a ‘shortcut’ you’d heard about. In the end, we always ended up being out longer than planned. For a long time, I didn’t understand why we took these detours – until I got older. You showed me that the joy isn’t in the destination, but in the journey.”

McGrath doesn't know how he'll manage the Olympics without him. "It feels unreal. The only thing keeping me going is that you always wanted me to pursue my dreams," he concludes. One of those dreams is an Olympic medal. So far in his young career, that has eluded him.