MILAN, Italy — In a remarkable display of resilience, Spanish ski mountaineer Ana Alonso Rodriguez secured two bronze medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics here, just months after a severe car accident nearly derailed her athletic career. The 31-year-old athlete, competing for Team Spain, first claimed bronze in the women's sprint event earlier this week, then teamed up with Oriol Cardona Coll to earn another in the mixed relay on Saturday, February 21.
The mixed relay victory came after a grueling race on the slopes of Milan and Cortina, where Rodriguez and Coll finished behind the gold-winning duo of Emily Harrop and Thibault Anselmet from France, as well as the silver medalists Marianne Fatton and Jon Kistler representing Switzerland. Rodriguez's achievements are all the more astonishing given the injuries she sustained in October 2025, when she was struck by a car during a road bike training session.
According to details shared by Rodriguez herself on Instagram at the time, the accident occurred as she was preparing for the Olympics. "A few days ago, while I was training on my road bike, a car hit me," she wrote in a post that included photos of the aftermath: herself lying in the street beneath an SUV with a cracked windshield, followed by a later selfie in the gym showing her left arm in a sling, her left knee braced, and using a crutch for support.
The crash left Rodriguez with a torn ACL and MCL in her knee, a broken ankle, a separated shoulder, and bone edema in her knee, injuries that initially cast doubt on her ability to compete at the highest level. Despite medical recommendations, she opted against surgery for her knee and shoulder, a choice she later described as "risky." Speaking to Reuters after the mixed relay, Rodriguez reflected on that decision: "I made a very risky decision, which was not to have surgery on my knee or shoulder, and many people thought I was crazy, but in the end it wasn’t so crazy, and I won as many medals as I thought I could."
In the immediate wake of the accident, Rodriguez expressed uncertainty about her future in ski mountaineering but remained defiant. "All things considered, I’m here (which is what matters most), in one piece and more determined than ever to move forward," she posted on Instagram. She acknowledged the challenges ahead, noting, "I know the road ahead won’t be easy. There will be gray days—days of pain, doubt, and exhaustion… but I also know those are the days that make you truly appreciate it when the sun shines again."
Rodriguez's path to the Olympics had already been one of perseverance. Just seven months before the accident, she had qualified for the Games, fulfilling a dream that began when she was 7 years old. The collision, she wrote, was an "unexpected twist" in her journey, but not an ending. "I don’t believe life brought me there just to leave me here. This isn’t an ending—it’s just a new challenge to climb with determination, faith, and a lot of passion," she added in her post.
Surrounded by a supportive team of professionals and loved ones, Rodriguez pushed through her rehabilitation with intense focus. She credited their encouragement as her "engine, my drive, and my strength." In the lead-up to the Olympics, her goal was modest by her standards: simply to compete. As she told the Associated Press earlier in the week after her sprint bronze, her aim was to "focus on myself and be proud of my performance, no matter the result." "So I only wanted to cross the finish line being happy with my performance," she said.
The emotional weight of her sprint medal hit hard. "I couldn’t believe it [that I won a bronze medal] … Trying to believe that I achieved this medal, it was a beautiful moment for me," Rodriguez shared with the AP. She described the triumph as "so emotional," especially considering how remote the possibility of even participating had seemed only months earlier.
Her Instagram post from October also highlighted her history of overcoming obstacles. "It’s not the first time I’ve had to get back up. Even though this time the hill is steeper and I have to climb it faster—you already know I’ve never liked the easy paths," she wrote. "I’m putting my fighter suit back on and going for it." This mindset carried her through the demanding ski mountaineering events, which combine uphill skiing, downhill racing, and endurance in rugged alpine terrain.
Ski mountaineering made its Olympic debut in these Games, adding to the significance of Rodriguez's medals. The sport, which requires athletes to ascend and descend mountains using skins on their skis for traction, tests both physical and mental fortitude—qualities Rodriguez demonstrated in abundance. Her performance in the mixed relay, where teams alternate legs of the course, showcased her synergy with Coll, who has been a key partner in her career.
Reflecting on her overall Olympic experience after the relay, Rodriguez emphasized self-belief. "I feel very proud that I didn’t give up and gave it my all until the end and believed in myself so much because it was very difficult," she told Reuters. "I think I’ve managed to find a strength that even I didn’t know I had."
The accident's details remain consistent across reports: Rodriguez tensed her body at the last moment to brace for impact, a split-second reaction she credits with preventing worse injuries. Photos from the scene, shared publicly, showed the extent of the vehicle's damage and her immediate vulnerability on the road. No further details on the driver or legal proceedings have been reported, but Rodriguez has focused publicly on her recovery rather than assigning blame.
For Rodriguez, the medals represent more than personal victory; they honor her supporters. In her Instagram conclusion, she dedicated her efforts to "those who never doubted for a moment; and for those who are no longer here, but whom I feel with me in every step." Her story has resonated widely, drawing parallels to other athletes who have triumphed over adversity, such as skier Lindsey Vonn, who recently shared updates on her own surgeries.
Looking ahead, Rodriguez's future in the sport appears bright, though she has not specified immediate plans. Her Olympic success could inspire a new generation of ski mountaineers, particularly in Spain, where the discipline is gaining traction. As the Games continue in Milan and Cortina, Rodriguez's journey from roadside recovery to podium glory stands as a testament to the unyielding spirit required in elite athletics.
Officials from the International Ski Mountaineering Federation have praised her comeback, though specific comments were not immediately available. Rodriguez's achievements underscore the physical toll of the sport and the importance of adaptive training in injury recovery, potentially influencing how future Olympians approach rehabilitation.