A dog named Nazgul ran onto a ski trail at the 2026 Winter Olympics, startling athletes but not affecting results.

A Czechoslovakian wolfdog named Nazgul unexpectedly ran onto the cross-country ski trail during the women's team sprint qualification at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy, startling athletes including Croatian skier Tena Hadzic, who said she was momentarily disoriented and may have lost time. The incident occurred during a preliminary round, so top competitors had already finished, and race officials confirmed it did not affect results. Nazgul, who reportedly escaped from his doghouse, was captured and removed without injury. His owners, related to an event official, described him as stubborn but affectionate and said he often seeks out people. The dog’s brief Olympic appearance became a viral moment, drawing widespread attention and amusement.