Olympian Ana Alonso Rodriguez Wins 2 Bronze Medals After Being Hit By Car
A Spanish group of mountaineers Ana Alonso Rodriguez ended his journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics with two bronze medals just months after being hit by a car.
On Saturday, February 21, Rodriguez, 31, and his partner Oriol Cardona Coll won a bronze medal in Milan and Cortina, Italy, in the mixed ski event, finishing behind the gold medalists in France Emily Harrop again Thibault Anselmet and those who received silver medals, Marianne Fatton again Jon Kistlerof Switzerland. Rodriguez previously won bronze in the women’s athletics competition earlier in the week.
Rodriguez’s two podium finishes were a great result as he survived a car crash last October. Rodriguez said it was a “risky” decision to compete in the Olympics so soon after his injuries paid off, despite his decision to avoid surgery due to his torn ACL and dislocated shoulder.
“I made a very risky decision, which was not to have knee or shoulder surgery, 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,” he said. Reuters on Saturday.
Rodriguez added: “I feel very proud that I didn’t give up and gave it my all until the end and I believed in myself a lot because it was very difficult. I think I was able to find strength that I didn’t know I had.”
In October 2025, Rodriguez sent to observe the result of a tragic accident that occurred during training.
In a series of slides via Instagram, Rodriguez showed the moments after the accident as he lay in the street under an SUV with a broken windshield. A later selfie at the gym shows the athlete with his left arm in a sling and his left knee protected by a heavy brace as he uses a cane to stand upright.
“A few days ago, while I was training for my road bike, I was hit by a car. At the last minute, when I saw that there was no way out, I was able to strengthen my body and brace for the impact… and I’m sure that’s what prevented something worse,” he wrote.
At the time, Rodriguez admitted that his climbing future was uncertain due to multiple injuries, including ACL and MCL ligament tears, a broken ankle, a dislocated shoulder and bone edema in his knee.
“All things considered, I’m here (which is the most important thing), in one piece and more determined than ever to move forward,” he wrote. “I know the road ahead won’t be easy. There will be gray days—days of pain, doubt, and fatigue… but I also know that those are the days that make you truly appreciate when the sun shines again.”
Rodriguez continued, “It’s not the first time I have to climb again. Even if this time the hill is steep and I have to climb it quickly—you already know that I never like easy ways. I’m going to put on my battle suit again and take it, surrounded by the best paid team and people I can have.”
Rodriguez admitted that the collision was an unexpected turn in his quest for glory in Milan and Cortina.
Ana Alonso Rodriguez with her bronze medal.
Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom/Getty Images“Just 7 months ago, I fulfilled a dream [to qualify for the Olympics] who was born when I was 7 years old,” he wrote: “I can’t believe that life brought me there just for you to leave me here. This is not the end—it is just a new challenge to climb with determination, faith and great enthusiasm.”
He concluded, “From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone who has been and continues to be there. Feeling so much trust, love, and support is my engine, my drive, and my strength to accomplish this. There are not enough words to express all my gratitude. I am lucky—now more than ever.”
Rodriguez’s dedication paid off when he hit the slopes in Milan and Cortina. Earlier in the week, a ski mountaineer told The Associated Press that it was “very emotional” to win in the midst of such adversity.
“I couldn’t believe it [that I won a bronze medal] … I’m trying to believe that I won this medal, it was a good moment for me,” he added.
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Rodriguez emphasized that his only goal in coming to Milan with Cortina was to compete because even that opportunity seemed far away a few months ago.
“I wanted to focus on myself and be proud of my performance, regardless of the result,” she said. “So I wanted to cross the finish line happy with my work.”
