Atle Lie McGrath knows this Olympic moment will sting for some time.
Reflecting on the crushing end to his gold-medal pursuit in Monday’s alpine skiing men’s slalom, in which he failed to finish his second run and tossed his poles in frustration, the Norwegian athlete likened the series of unfortunate events to the “worst moment” of his career, all the while grappling with personal heartache.
“It’s not the worst moment of my life, but it’s the worst moment of my career, and it’s been one of the toughest moments of my life with everything that’s been going on,” the 25-year-old McGrath said, according to People.
“I was hoping I was going to be able to crown off this tough period with something good today and I’ve just had to really stand through so much tough stuff. I’m normally a guy that’s very good when it comes to perspective on things. And if I don’t ski well in a race, I can at least tell myself that I’m healthy and my family’s healthy and the people I love are here, so that’s nice. But that’s not been the case.”
Entering Monday’s event as a favorite, McGrath — who was born in Vermont but raised in Norway — hoped to reach the top of the podium as a way to honor his late grandfather, who passed this month as the 2026 Winter Games opened in Milan.
Things did not go according to plan.
McGrath, who ranked first after an opening run of 54.14, straddled the gate on his second run before hurling his poles. He then laid on his back in the snow near the course’s safety netting.
Switzerland’s Loic Meillard claimed gold, with Austria’s Fabio Gstrein and Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen rounding out the podium with silver and bronze, respectively.
“I gave myself the absolute best opportunity you could today. And I skied so great and I still couldn’t get it done. So that’s what really hurts,” McGrath said.
His teammates have rallied around him in support, including bronze medalist Kristoffersen.
2026 WINTER OLYMPICS
“In the end, it’s another ski race. In the end, it’s not going to make or break Atle’s career,” Kristoffersen said, according to the Associated Press. “He is a great skier. If he keeps going like he’s going, he will have great success for the future. This is just our sport.”
As McGrath moves forward, his fellow Olympians know he made his beloved “Fafao” proud.
Responding to an Instagram tribute posted Tuesday by McGrath, Lindsey Vonn — who is recovering from a devastating leg injury that derailed her fifth Olympics pursuit — penned an encouraging message to her fellow competitor.
“He is proud of you no matter what,” she wrote.