Staff Spain ski mountaineer Ana Alonso Rodriguez completed her 2026 Winter Olympics journey with two bronze medals mere months after being hit by a automotive.
On Saturday, February 21, Rodriguez, 31, and her teammate Oriol Cardona Coll clinched a bronze medal within the Milan and Cortina, Italyski mountaineering combined relay occasionending behind France’s gold medal winners Emily Harrop and Thibault Anselmet and silver medalists, Marianne Fatton and Jon Kistlerof Switzerland. Rodriguez had beforehand received bronze within the ladies’s dash occasion earlier within the week.
Two podium placements for Rodriguez was a very astounding consequence since she survived being struck by a automotive final October. Rodriguez stated her “dangerous” resolution to compete within the Olympics so quickly after her accidents payed off, regardless of her resolution to keep away from having surgical procedure for her torn ACL and separated shoulder.
“I made a really dangerous resolution, which was to not have surgical procedure on my knee or shoulder, and many individuals thought I used to be loopy, however ultimately it wasn’t so loopy, and I received as many medals as I believed I may,” she instructed Reuters on Saturday.
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Rodriguez added, “I really feel very proud that I didn’t surrender and gave it my all till the tip and believed in myself a lot as a result of it was very tough. I feel I’ve managed to discover a energy that even I didn’t know I had.”
In October 2025, Rodriguez posted a take a look at the aftermath of a devastating accident that occurred throughout coaching.
In a collection of slides by way of InstagramRodriguez showcased the moments after the crash as she lay on the street beneath an SUV with a cracked windshield. A selfie shot later within the gymnasium showcased the athlete along with her left arm in a sling and her left knee protected by a heavy brace as she used a crutch to face upright.
“Just a few days in the past, whereas I used to be coaching on my street bike, a automotive hit me. On the final second, after I noticed there was no manner out, I used to be in a position to tense my physique and brace for the impression… and I’m satisfied that’s what prevented one thing a lot worse,” she wrote.
On the time, Rodriguez admitted her future in ski mountaineering was unsure due to a litany of accidents, together with ACL and MCL ligament tears, a damaged ankle, a separated shoulder and bone edema in her knee.
“All issues thought-about, I’m right here (which is what issues most), in a single piece and extra decided than ever to maneuver ahead,” she wrote. “I do know the street forward received’t be simple. There will likely be grey days—days of ache, doubt, and exhaustion… however I additionally know these are the times that make you really recognize it when the solar shines once more.”
Rodriguez went on, “It’s not the primary time I’ve needed to get again up. Despite the fact that this time the hill is steeper and I’ve to climb it sooner—you already know I’ve by no means preferred the straightforward paths. I’m placing my fighter swimsuit again on and going for it, surrounded by the perfect skilled and human group I may presumably have.”
Rodriguez admitted that the roadside collision was an surprising twist on her quest for glory in Milan and Cortina.
Ana Alonso Rodriguez along with her bronze medal.
Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom/Getty Pictures“Simply 7 months in the past, I fulfilled a dream (to qualify for the Olympics) that was born after I was 7 years previous,” she wrote. “I don’t consider life introduced me there simply to depart me right here. This isn’t an ending—it’s only a new problem to climb with willpower, religion, and numerous ardour.”
She concluded, “From the underside of my coronary heart, thanks to everybody who has been and continues to be there. Feeling a lot belief, love, and assist is my engine, my drive, and my energy to attain this. There aren’t sufficient phrases to specific all my gratitude. I’m lucky—now greater than ever 🥹🙏🏻That is for you—for individuals who by no means doubted for a second; and for individuals who are now not right here, however whom I really feel with me in each step.”
Rodriguez’s dedication paid off when she hit the slopes in Milan and Cortina. Earlier within the week, the ski mountaineer instructed the Related Press that it was “so emotional” to have triumphed within the face of such adversity.
“I couldn’t consider it (that I received a bronze medal) … Making an attempt to consider that I achieved this medal, it was a wonderful second for me,” she added.
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Rodriguez burdened that her solely aim coming into Milan and Cortina was merely to compete since even that risk appeared distant just a few months in the past.
“I needed to deal with myself and be pleased with my efficiency, irrespective of the consequence,” she stated. “So I solely needed to cross the end line being pleased with my efficiency.”