Two decorated Olympic cross-country skiers have been forced to skip Saturday’s 50-kilometer classic race at the Milano Cortina Games after becoming sick with flu-like symptoms.
Italy’s Federico Pellegrino, 35, announced his withdrawal through a message posted on the Italian ski federation’s website. “The wrist tendinitis was ‘under control’, but since Friday morning I have been in bed with flu-like symptoms, and I am enormously sorry to tell you that today I will not be at the start of the 50 km,” Pellegrino shared with supporters.
The Italian skier has had an impressive career, capturing gold in the individual sprint at the 2017 world championships and earning two silver medals during the Beijing and Pyeongchang Olympics. During the current Milano Cortina Games, he has already secured two bronze medals in both the men’s relay and men’s team sprint events.
Expressing his disappointment, Pellegrino continued: “Not being able to experience those emotions that only the final kilometers of an exhausting race—cheered on by fans and by my whole family—at the biggest sporting event at home, emotions I had hoped to experience, is heartbreaking.”
American skier Ben Ogden, 26, has also been ruled out of the competition. The U.S. athlete has claimed two silver medals at these Games in the men’s classic sprint and men’s team sprint competitions.
A representative for the U.S. men’s cross-country team explained Ogden’s absence: “Ben Ogden woke up sick and will not compete in today’s 50k to rest and recover before the last four weeks of World Cup racing.”
Finland’s Ristomatti Hakola has similarly been scratched from the race due to influenza.
