Norwegian skier Atle Lie McGrath has opened up after walking off into the woods following a crushing Olympic mistake that cost him a medal in northern Italy. McGrath led after the first run and appeared poised for gold, holding a 0.59-second advantage over Switzerland’s Loic Meillard. But 15 seconds into his second run, he straddled a gate and was eliminated. He threw his poles aside, removed his skis, and stormed away from the course, disappearing toward the tree line. He later explained he “just needed to get away from everything.” “I thought I would get some peace and quiet, which I didn’t because photographers and police found me out in the woods,” he told the Olympic media service. “I just needed some time for myself.” The disappointment was compounded by personal grief. McGrath’s grandfather, Svein Lie, died at the start of the Games. “I skied so great and I still couldn’t get it done, so that’s what really hurts,” he said. “Sports-wise, it’s the worst. It’s not the worst moment of my life, but it’s the worst moment of my career, and it’s been one of the toughest moments of my life with everything that’s been going on.”
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