Olympic skiers had the most adorable competition at the cross-country skiing team sprint free race on Wednesday, and we think he deserve a medal. While the athletes were on their final sprint on the course in Lago Di Tesero, Italy, this morning (Feb. 18), a local Czechoslovakian wolfdog named Nazgul went on a joy run after escaping his doghouse at a bed-and-breakfast. Before his family could track him down, he spotted the race and ran into the mix. DOG ON THE COURSE AT OLYMPIC SKIING. The late entry closes strong at the cross country finish line! pic.twitter.com/o4mO28tXXW— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 18, 2026 “He was crying this morning more than normal because he was seeing us leaving — and I think he just wanted to follow us,” his owner shared with NPR. “He always looks for people.” The Dog Returned Home After His Olympic Sprint Footage shows the seemingly smiling pooch running full speed behind two skiers. Fortunately, he didn’t interfere with medal-winning competitors. The top skiers had already finished the race. And when he crossed the finish line, he gave the few athletes left a surprise when he greeted them with tail-wagging sniffs. “I was like, ‘Am I hallucinating?” Croatian skier Tena Hadzic said. “I don’t know what I should do because maybe he could attack me, bite me.” Race officials were able to quickly capture Nazgul and get him home unharmed and with new memories. This story’s featured image is by Andrzej Iwanczuk/NurPhoto via Getty Images.