Henrik Harlaut, a 34-year-old freestyle skier, faced a grim situation as he sustained an injury during practice before his anticipated competitions. He had already missed the slopestyle event after crashing during training, and hopes were high for his performance in the big air event, where he previously won a bronze medal at the 2022 Olympics. Unfortunately, his condition worsened during a training session on Friday, leading him to make the difficult choice to withdraw from the competition entirely.

Expressing his emotions, Harlaut acknowledged how hard it was to accept that his chances in big air had come to an end. Despite feeling mentally prepared and not having a severe injury, he realized that the combination of factors made his participation impossible. He expressed gratitude for the support he received in the lead-up to the games, highlighting how disappointing it was for him to see his Olympic journey conclude in such a manner.

Team physician Jakob Swanberg corroborated Harlaut's decision, calling it a tough yet wise choice. He emphasized the importance of competing at full capacity in the big air event, pointing out that any hesitation could pose additional risks for Harlaut. With the Olympics in 2026 on the horizon, this incident serves as a reminder of the precarious nature of sports and the difficult decisions athletes must make regarding their health and performance.