Austrian cross-country skier Mika Vermeulen will leave the Olympic Winter Games earlier than planned. Following disappointing results in the last races, the 26-year-old has decided not to compete in any further events and to return home.

At the start of the season in Ruka, Vermeulen stood already on the World Cup podium in the demanding 10km classic race alongside Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo. However, shortly before the Tour de Ski, he came down with an illness and entered the intense Olympic phase of the season not fully in shape. Since then, the usually consistent distance skier has been well below his usual top-10 level and unable to rediscover his normal strength during the Olympic competitions.

Rather than continuing to start races, the decision was made to end the Games early and shift the focus toward full recovery and what comes next.

On Instagram, Vermeulen addressed the situation himself, with the words: “Yes, it hurts. It’s a huge disappointment. You have to accept it the way it is and figure out what went wrong,” while also making it clear that he has not closed the Olympic chapter yet: “The Olympics were not just my biggest goal – the Olympics are my biggest goal. I’m 26, and this was definitely not the last time for me. In four years, we’ll be going to France, and that’s where we’ll push hard again.”

By leaving the Olympics early, Vermeulen will also miss the 50km classic race on Saturday, an event in which he had originally been considered Austria’s strongest contender. For the Austrian Ski Federation, his withdrawal is a painful loss, but the priority now is to give the athlete the time needed to fully rebuild physically.

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FACTS 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games – Cross-Country Skiing

• When: Saturday 7, to Sunday, February 22, 2026
• Who: Elite national skiers – women and men
• Where: Val di Fiemme, Italy
• What: Milano-Cortina 2026

Saturday, February 7: 20km Skiathlon C/F Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 13:00 CET: 20km Skiathlon C/F, Women

Sunday, February 8: 20km Skiathlon C/F Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:30 CET: 20km Skiathlon C/F, Men

Tuesday, February 10: Sprint C Women and Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 9:15 CET: Sprint Quali C, Women
• 9:55 CET: Sprint Quali C, Men
• 11:45 CET: Sprint Final C, Women
• 12:15 CET: Sprint Final C, Men

Thursday, February 12: 10km Interval Start F Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 13:00 CET: 10km Interval F, Women

Friday, February 13: 10km Interval Start F Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:45 CET: 10km Interval F, Men

Saturday, February 14: 4×7.5km Relay C/F Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:00 CET: 4×7.5km Relay C/F, Women

Sunday, February 15: 4×7.5km Relay C/F Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:00 CET: 4×7.5km Relay C/F, Men

Wednesday, February 18: Team Sprint Women and Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 9:45 CET: Team Sprint F Quali, Women
• 9:45 CET: Team Sprint F Quali, Men
• 11:45 CET: Team Sprint F, Women
• 11:45 CET: Team Sprint F, Men

Saturday, February 21: 50km Mass Start C Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:00 CET: 50km Mass Start C, Men

Sunday, February 22: 50km Mass Start C Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 10:00 CET: 50km Mass Start C, Women

Complete program for the Winter Olympic Games can be found HERE

Val di Fiemme, a classic Nordic skiing venue, promises thrilling racing on courses steeped in Olympic history. Fans around the World will have the chance to cheer on athletes across all distances, from explosive sprints to grueling marathons.

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