The 2026 Winter Olympics have kicked off with a dramatic incident involving Norwegian skier Fredrik Moeller, a medal hopeful in the Alpine skiing events. Moeller, a star Olympian, suffered a terrifying high-speed crash during training on the notorious Stelvio slope in Bormio, leaving him in need of urgent medical attention. The Norwegian team and medics rushed to his aid, and a rescue helicopter was quickly dispatched to the scene. Moeller was airlifted off the mountain and taken to a nearby hospital in Sondalo for further checks. The official opening training session for Alpine skiing events was called off, and the Norwegian team was unable to provide an official update on his condition on Thursday morning (AEDT). However, team doctor Trond Floberghagen confirmed that Moeller dislocated his left shoulder and is being treated in the hospital. He is unlikely to participate in the downhill event, but there is a possibility that he might still compete in the Super-G downhill event on Wednesday. The 2026 Milano Cortina Games have already begun with the opening ceremony taking place on Friday night (AEDT). High-speed disciplines are considered among the most dangerous in sport, with skiers reaching motorway speeds on unforgiving terrain. Moeller's accident is a stark reminder of the risks associated with such events. The Norwegian skier has been one of Norway’s brightest talents and a key figure in their Olympic plans. This is the second time that he’s been involved in a high profile accident after the World Cup downhill crash at Val Gardena in 2025. Winter Olympics icon Lindsey Vonn recently suffered a serious knee injury when she crashed at high speed during the women’s World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. The Winter Olympics began two days before the opening ceremony with the curling mixed doubles event in the chic resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo. The games had barely begun when a brief power cut blacked out the scoreboards for several matchups, causing a pause in play. The opening ceremony on Friday will be primarily held at the San Siro football stadium in Milan, with three other venues hosting the traditional athletes parade. US singer Mariah Carey and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli are among the performers for the ceremony. The 2026 Winter Olympics are using a host of existing venues, stretching for 350 kilometres (217 miles) across northern Italy from Cortina to Milan, with other “clusters” spread through the Alps. The event is a testament to the diverse and expansive nature of the Olympic Games.
