Saveli Korosteljov, a Russian athlete competing in the Milano-Cortina event, displayed extreme frustration after a disappointing finish in the 10+10 kilometer combined race on Sunday. After the competition, Korosteljov was seen shouting and striking the snow, lamenting his lost chance at a medal, especially after facing difficulties on the last uphill segment that dashed his hopes. He expressed his discontent at finishing in fourth, calling it the worst placement due to its close proximity to the podium.

Following the race, a protest was filed against Mathis Desloges, a French athlete, for a minor infraction that occurred during the competition. However, the refereeing board rejected the protest, which meant Korosteljov had no chance of ascending to the podium through official channels either. In a twist, Korosteljov claimed he had not requested any support staff to lodge a protest, stating he had only discussed the situation with reporters, suggesting a degree of isolation in his grievances regarding the race's officiating.

Reflecting on the event, Korosteljov commented that he had made a similar mistake to that of Desloges during the warm-up, indicating that the issue perhaps lay with the judges rather than the athletes. This frustration not only highlights the high stakes of competitive sports but also raises questions about the role of officiating in determining outcomes in high-pressure environments such as the Milano-Cortina event.