Tommaso Giacomel, a 25-year-old Italian biathlete, recently underwent heart surgery after he developed respiratory difficulties during an Olympic race. Leading the men's mass start event for the first two shooting stages, Giacomel fell behind in the third skiing leg and ultimately had to withdraw from the race. Following the incident, he described it as the worst feeling he had ever experienced, taking to Instagram to express his distress.

Further investigation revealed that Giacomel was suffering from atrial fibrillation, and he subsequently underwent an ablation procedure to address the rhythm disturbance in his heart. Reports confirm that the procedure was successful, and doctors expect him to be discharged from the hospital soon. However, it has been announced that he will miss the World Cup event in Kontiolahti scheduled for March 5-8, as his recovery requires a couple of weeks of monitoring to ensure he is fit to compete again.

Despite his recent health struggles, Giacomel had achieved notable success prior to this incident, having won an Olympic silver medal in the mixed relay, and he currently ranks second in the overall standings of the World Cup. His situation highlights the physical demands placed on athletes at high levels and the importance of addressing health issues promptly to ensure their long-term well-being and competitiveness in their respective sports.