Winter Olympics 2026: Tommaso Giacomel collapses during men’s 15km mass start biathlon in Anterselva
Times of India
by GLOBAL SPORTS DESKFebruary 20, 2026
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Tommaso Giacomel, the 22-year-old Italian biathlon star, experienced a shocking collapse during the men’s 15km mass start event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Anterselva. Despite leading the race midway and hitting all his targets without missing any shots, Giacomel suddenly slowed down and was seen sitting on the snow in the woods section of the course. Officials rushed to his aid as he struggled with breathing difficulties, ultimately failing to finish the race—making him the only competitor among 30 who did not cross the finish line.
After the incident, Italy’s coach Fabio Cianciana provided an update, stating that Giacomel’s health was prioritized over the competition. He revealed that the athlete experienced chest pain and chose to stop skiing immediately. However, Cianciana noted that Giacomel recovered quickly, walking to his first medical check and receiving further treatment. The coach also praised Giacomel’s strong performance earlier in the race, highlighting his potential as a
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026