In the recent cross-country sprint event in Tesero, Italy, German athletes Coletta Rydzek and Laura Gimmler fell short of reaching the finals, missing an opportunity to contend for an Olympic medal. As the top-performing Germans in the competition, their exit in the semifinals was a disappointment considering their capabilities and past performances. The event was ultimately won by Swedish skier Linn Svahn, who secured gold, while her compatriots Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist claimed silver and bronze respectively.

Both Rydzek and Gimmler acknowledged their aspirations for the event, having been motivated to perform well, especially after previous successes. Gimmler remarked on her four consecutive finals appearances leading up to the Olympics, reflecting her competitive spirit and desire to maintain that streak. Rydzek, who had support from her brother Johannes Rydzek, emphasized her goal of reaching the final and performing strongly amongst elite competitors.

While Rydzek has shown skill in the World Cup series in individual sprints, her performance in the Olympic sprint was hampered by the switch to classic technique, contrasting with her previous podium finishes, which were in freestyle technique. This event serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the importance of adaptability in competition formats, especially at the Olympic level.