Cross-country skiing : an emotional day for Mathis Desloges
Mathis Desloges certainly went through an emotional rollercoaster on Sunday in Tesero (Italy).After a masterful race, the Dauphinois gave France its first medal of the Milan/Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games by taking second place in the skiathlon.
But before savouring his Olympic silver, the Frenchman thought his dream had slipped away. The reason: a protest from the Russian camp, lodged in the minutes after the finish. For long minutes, uncertainty hung in the air. Disqualification was feared. Then came the verdict: no penalty, the medal was there. This was a huge relief for the French cross-country skier, who was finally allowed to express his joy.
After the ceremony, the Frenchman joined the French team technicians in the waxing truck to celebrate this long-awaited result. The atmosphere was euphoric, with hugs and jubilant jumps… until something unexpected happened. In the general jubilation, the medal broke. A scene captured by the cameras of JO Club, broadcast on France Télévisions, and reminiscent of the episode experienced the day before by Sweden’s Ebba Andersson. Mathis Desloges said: “Oh, she’s completely smashed!
Far from being annoyed, the Dauphinois prefers to laugh about it. He immediately set to work, trying as best he could to repair the coveted object. “Too many emotions. We moved and jumped a lot, and in the end the medal jumped too”, he explained afterwards, smiling, on the set of JO Club.
Read also
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- 2026 Olympic Games | Cross-country skiing – “It’s the event I’ve ticked off my list”: Mathis Desloges wants to make a big impact in the Olympic skiathlon
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