Janika Lõiv achieved a commendable second-place finish in the international Olympic cross-country competition held in Gandeleda-Gredos, Spain, on Sunday. The race was won by Spanish champion Estibaliz Sagardoy Zunzarren, who clocked in at 1:26.52, while Lõiv followed closely, finishing only 29 seconds behind her. The third position was taken by Cynthia Guadalupe Martin Gonzalez. Another Estonian competitor, Maribel Rannala, finished in 16th place, making it a notable event for Estonia in this international setting.

In her post-race comments, Lõiv reflected on her strategy of starting off conservatively as she is currently not focused on peak performance. She faced challenges during the race as two of her competitors attempted to block her, which allowed the leader to create a significant gap. Despite these difficulties, she emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and focusing on her strengths, particularly her running form compared to others in the race.

The course presented its own set of challenges, with conditions that required her to navigate narrow paths and muddy sections. Lõiv expressed optimism about the future, stating her running form is already strong and if she can improve her cycling condition, she would be in an excellent position for upcoming competitions. Her performance in this event highlights the growing competitiveness of Estonian athletes on international stages.