On the second day of the Olympics – surprise about the Italians: the hosts took the most medals so far
An eventful day at the Olympics saw a tragic incident involving American skier Lindsey Vonn, who returned to competition only to be injured in a high-speed fall, while Breezy Johnson won the event.
During the second day of the Olympics, American skier Lindsey Vonn experienced a terrifying incident as she returned to the sport after six years away. Competing in a downhill skiing event at speeds of about 100 km/h, Vonn fell shortly after starting her run and was airlifted to a hospital, raising concerns for her well-being. The race, which was paused for over 20 minutes due to the incident, resumed with Vonn’s close friend and fellow American skier Breezy Johnson claiming victory, followed closely by Germany's Emma Aicher and Italy's Sofia Goggia.
Besides Vonn's situation, other competitions took place, including the men's 20 km skiathlon where Lithuanian athlete Tautvydas Strolia struggled and ultimately had to withdraw from the race after being left behind by the leaders. The event was won by Norwegian favorite Johannes Klaebo, who finished effortlessly, while France's Mathis Desloges secured second place, and Norway’s Martin Nyenget came in third. This further highlighted the competitive nature of the event and the unpredictability of such high-stakes competitions.
In the mixed-team biathlon relay, Lithuanian athletes faced challenges and finished last in their heat, while France won the event, reinforcing their dominance in this edition of the Olympics. The day's events raised questions about the safety of athletes in high-speed sports and the emotional impacts such incidents can have on competitors and their teams, while also showcasing the fierce competition among the countries represented, particularly Italy's unexpected performance in the medal standings.