During the men's 10,000 meters race at the Winter Olympics, Danish speed skater Viktor Hald Thorup faced a major setback as he collapsed on the ice midway through the competition and had to withdraw from the race. His opponent, Italian skater Riccardo Lorello, continued to skate and had already built a significant lead over Thorup prior to the incident. As Thorup exited the race, he was seen holding his hip, leaving questions about whether he sustained an injury during the event.

Thorup, who was an alternate and only got a spot on the starting list at the last minute due to the withdrawal of an American athlete, previously faced disappointment in the 5,000 meters where he also did not compete. Despite this setback, he is scheduled to return to the ice during the mass start event later in the Olympics, which offers him another opportunity to showcase his skills.

This incident highlights the intense pressure on athletes at the Olympic level, as even minor setbacks can lead to significant consequences. Thorup's experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of competitive sports, especially in high-stakes events like the Olympics, and the challenges athletes face in maintaining their performance under such pressures.