A Czechoslovakian wolfdog named Nazgul made an unexpected appearance at the finish line of the women's team sprint cross-country race at the Milan Cortina Olympics. The dog darted onto the course, crossing the line with the final racers and captivating the crowd.
Nazgul's owners, the Varesco family, are related to an event official. They explained that the dog had been distressed that morning and likely followed them, seeking to join them on their outing. "He always looks for people," one owner told NPR.
Alice Varesco recounted the moment she realized Nazgul had escaped, receiving videos from friends while she and her husband were hours away attending another event. "That was the panic moment. We realized we could not do anything."
Initially, some spectators mistook Nazgul for a wolf. Alice Varesco expressed concern for her pet's safety, stating, "It was with us the whole day actually. Even after they told us he was safe, we kept thinking about what could have gone wrong."
This was Nazgul's first known escape. The Varescos believe he repeatedly hit a lever that opened the door, wanting to be with his family. "He wanted to look for us I think because he's used to going in that direction with us when we go for a walk," Alice said.
Nazgul's surprise appearance did not significantly impact the sporting event, as top medal contenders had already finished. He was safely caught within the venue and returned home within half an hour. However, the unexpected guest briefly startled some competitors, with one Croatian skier questioning if she was hallucinating.