At the 2026 Olympic Games held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Latvian cross-country skier Patrīcija Eiduka made history by finishing in 12th place in the women's 50 km classical style event. This remarkable performance not only secured her a spot among the top competitors but also marked the best result ever achieved by a Latvian in Olympic cross-country skiing. Previously, the longest distance contested by women at the Olympics was 30 km, making Eiduka's participation in the 50 km event particularly significant.

Eiduka's 12th place is a significant improvement from her earlier performance just a week prior, where she placed 15th in the 10 km free style individual start event. The competition was fierce, featuring 41 participants, and ultimately, Swedish skier Ebba Andersson won the gold medal with a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes, and 28.2 seconds, outperforming Norwegian Heidi Weng by more than two minutes. Swiss skier Nadja Kälin took home the bronze, finishing over six minutes behind Andersson.

Eiduka finished her race 9 minutes and 13.9 seconds behind Andersson, but her historic placement not only highlighted her personal growth as an athlete but also elevated the status of Latvian cross-country skiing on the international stage. This achievement symbolizes a new era for female athletes from Latvia, showcasing their capability to compete at the highest levels.