Frida Karlsson, the queen of women's cross-country skiing at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, has been forced to withdraw from the final event, the 50-kilometer mass start race, due to illness. In her first comments regarding this unfortunate decision, she described how she had spent three days in bed but attempted to test her condition by going for a walk the evening before the race. However, she quickly realized that competing in the 50 kilometers would likely be too demanding for her at that moment. Her illness follows a trend seen among various athletes, with many others also struggling with health issues as the games progressed.

The illness has impacted not only Karlsson but also several of her competitors, demonstrating the challenges athletes face during high-pressure events like the Olympics. Notably, Finland's Iivo Niskanen and Norway's Harald Amundsen also had to contend with sickness, leading to the shattering of their medal hopes in the men's 50 kilometers. Additionally, Ristomatti Hakola from Finland was unable to even participate in the men's final, highlighting a broader trend of health problems among key athletes in this year's games.

Karlsson's withdrawal is particularly poignant as it underscores the unpredictability of competitive sports, where the physical demands can often lead to unexpected outcomes. Additionally, Swedish skier Jonna Sundling also had to miss the women's race because of illness, contributing to Sweden's difficulties as they entered the final races. The series of withdrawals raises concerns about the well-being of athletes and may call into question the health protocols in place during the games, as organizers must strive to ensure that competitors can perform at their best without the threat of illness affecting their participation.