The Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina have officially begun, with the first events in the skeleton competition taking center stage. Among the athletes participating is 19-year-old Emīls Indriksons, who is set to compete in his debut at the Olympics. This event is closely followed in Latvia, with multiple platforms such as LTV7, LSM.lv, and replay.lv providing live coverage for fans.

Skeleton racing involves athletes making timed runs down a track, and this year, 25 competitors are taking part in the men's event. The significance of this competition is highlighted by the participation of young talent like Indriksons, whose performance is eagerly anticipated, especially given that he will make his Olympic debut with a starting number of 20. Following the initial heats, the medal rounds are scheduled for Friday, increasing the stakes as finalists vie for Olympic glory.

However, the skeleton event has not been without controversy, as an incident involving a Ukrainian athlete, Vladislavs Heraskevičs, emerged before the start. He faced disqualification for attempting to compete with a helmet bearing images of athletes who died in the war in Ukraine. This situation underscores the complex interplay of sports, national identity, and current events, drawing attention to the broader implications of representation and expression in the Olympics.