Adorable dog unexpectedly runs onto Olympic cross-country course

Steve Gardner, USA TODAYWed, February 18, 2026 at 1:05 PM UTC

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Adorable dog unexpectedly runs onto Olympic cross-country course

With great closing speed, an unexpected entry crossed the finish line in the women's cross-country team sprint ... and the crowd in Tesero went wild.

A dog somehow managed to get on the course during the qualification round on Wednesday, Feb. 18, bounding down the final stretch, and as the exhausted skiers concluded their runs, the playful pup made a host of new friends in the finish area.

The NBC Sports commentators on the live broadcast were quick to point out the warm welcome: "The biggest cheer of the day ... and it's not for any of the skiers."

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Unfortunately, the canine competitor didn't complete the entire course and was ineligible for a medal.

But some head scratches and maybe a treat will likely be even more rewarding for such an Olympian effort.

1 / 0The wildest fan outfits at the 2026 Winter OlympicsFans of Team United States cheer during women's ice hockey Group A play against Czechia during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games on Feb. 5, 2026 at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dog sprints to finish alongside skiers at Olympic cross-country relay

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