Story perspectives

Dog Joins Winter Olympics, Causes Stir During Race

2/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

Nazgul, a two-year-old Czechoslovakian Wolfdog owned by former Olympic skier Alice Varesco, unexpectedly joined the Winter Olympics in Italy during the women's cross-country skiing qualifying round.
Varesco believed the dog was locked in his kennel during her biathlon.
Nazgul escaped and ran beside competitors, drawing mixed reactions.
After being caught, Nazgul briefly escaped again but was secured.
The Varescos apologized to race officials, relieved no serious incidents occurred.

History

Historical Context

The 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, held from February 10 to 26, featured 2,494 athletes from 80 nations, marking a significant increase in participation. Amidst strict doping regulations, the event faced controversy when Italian police raided the Austrian team for blood doping. This incident, along with unexpected animal disruptions, sparked discussions on event protocols and athlete responsibilities, influencing future Olympic regulations.

1 of 2

Story summary

Nazgul, a two-year-old Czechoslovakian Wolfdog owned by former Olympic skier Alice Varesco, unexpectedly joined the Winter Olympics in Italy during the women's cross-country skiing qualifying round.
Varesco believed the dog was locked in his kennel during her biathlon.
Nazgul escaped and ran beside competitors, drawing mixed reactions.
After being caught, Nazgul briefly escaped again but was secured.
The Varescos apologized to race officials, relieved no serious incidents occurred.

1 / 2