Tena Hadžić and Ema Sobol, representing Croatia in cross-country skiing, participated in the women’s team sprint at the Winter Olympics held in Tesero. The young duo finished in 19th place during the qualifications, which unfortunately did not allow them to progress to the top 15 teams required for the finals. Their performance illustrated the challenges that athletes from nations without strong skiing traditions face at such a competitive level.

Despite not advancing, both athletes put forth a commendable effort in a highly competitive field traditionally dominated by countries with extensive skiing backgrounds and robust nordic skiing systems. This experience is particularly valuable for 18-year-old Ema Sobol, who is still emerging on the international stage. Competing at the Winter Olympics provides them with exposure that may benefit their future development in the sport.

The outcome in Tesero underlines the difficulty of competing against world-class teams in winter sports, especially in events where Croatia lacks a deep pool of competitors. The performances of Hadžić and Sobol this season, coupled with their debut on such a significant platform, highlight not just their potential but also the broader challenges faced by Croatian athletes in winter sports.