Dog Joins Olympic Cross-Country Ski Race and Steals the Show

A dog won over spectators at the Winter Olympics after he unexpectedly raced alongside cross-country skiers on the course.

It was a bright, sunny day at the Milano Cortina Winter Games as athletes powered toward the finish line. But as several competitors approached the final stretch, the loudest cheers weren’t for the skiers…They were for a dog who decided to join the race.

The pup managed to get onto the course, and at first, his attention was caught by a moving camera along the sidelines. But when two skiers sped past him, he seemed far more interested in them and suddenly began sprinting right behind them.

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@orbita365_ ¡Hasta foto finish! El perro lobo que se robó el show en los Olímpicos #juegosolímpicos #dog #deporte #perro #juegosolimpicosdeinvierno ♬ sonido original – orbita365_

The surprise “competitor” was later identified as Nazgul, a two-year-old Czechoslovakian Vlciak (wolfdog) whose owner was quickly found. Nazgul lives at a nearby hotel, and while the crowd was delighted by his appearance, one athlete admitted she was briefly worried.

Croatia’s Tena Hadzic noticed him running behind her and told NPR afterward, “I was like, ‘Am I hallucinating? I don’t know what I should do, because maybe he could attack me, bite me.’”

Greece’s Konstantina Charalampidou said Nazgul seemed less interested in winning than in getting attention — though commentators couldn’t help but note the dog’s “true speed” and impressive athletic potential.

After the skiers crossed the finish line, the chief of competition stepped in to escort the furry guest off the course.

Nazgul’s owners later described him as “stubborn, but very sweet,” explaining that he was simply looking for affection that morning.

“He was crying more than normal because he saw us leaving,” they said. “I think he just wanted to follow us. He always looks for people.”

Pupdate:

Nazgul’s family shared how surprised they were on Nazgul’s escape from home (he had never done so before) and more about the pup and his newfound stardom.

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