The article discusses the reflections of speed skater Finn Sonnekalb on his first Olympic experience, highlighting a stark contrast to the previous Winter Games in Beijing, which were marred by COVID-19 disruptions. Instead of the passion and excitement typically associated with the Olympics, Sonnekalb expressed feelings of anxiety and fear about falling ill during the competitions. As he recounted his experiences, Sonnekalb noted that his initial hesitance to leave his accommodations stemmed from a desire to remain healthy in the face of an ongoing pandemic, which shaped an unsettling Olympic atmosphere for many athletes.

The recollections intertwine with a broader narrative from Giovanni Malago, the chairman of the organizing committee, who recalled being in quarantine during the Beijing Games, exemplifying the challenging environment in which organizers and competitors operated. These memories, characterized by illness and confinement, serve as a ghost of past hardships as the focus shifts to the Milan games. Additionally, the dissonance between the anticipated Olympic spirit and the underlying trepidation faced by athletes like Sonnekalb highlights a transformation in how the games are perceived, where a sense of frustration looms large as they grapple with both physical and emotional challenges.

Ultimately, the reference to "four years of anger in the belly" suggests a collective sentiment among athletes, shaped by past experiences that continue to resonate in the current competitive landscape. The article posits that these feelings could have implications for future Olympic games, as athletes are forced to reconcile their dreams of glory with the harsh realities that now accompany them in this global event, indicating a need for change in how future events are organized and experienced by athletes.