Historic Olympic Debut for Transgender Skier Elis Lundholm Ends in Last Place Finish but Qualification Rules Offer New Opportunity in Livigno Italy

The Winter Olympics always brings surprises, breakthroughs, and stories that stretch beyond medals.

This week, one of the most talked-about moments came from Swedish skier Elis Lundholm, who has made history as the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the Winter Games.

Lundholm, 23, was born female but identifies as male, and is currently competing in the women’s freestyle moguls event — a decision that has sparked both attention and debate worldwide.

A Qualifying Run That Didn’t Go as Planned

Tuesday’s moguls qualifier in Livigno was a difficult one for Lundholm.

After a mistake on the snowy course, he finished 29th, placing last in the round with a score of 12.05.

To put the gap into perspective, Australia’s Charlotte Wilson, who finished just ahead in 28th place, scored nearly 50 points.

It was a tough showing for the Swedish skier, especially under the bright spotlight of Olympic history.

Still, the Olympics aren’t always about one perfect run — and Lundholm’s journey isn’t over yet.

The Qualification Format Offers a Second Chance

Despite coming in last, Lundholm isn’t eliminated.

Moguls qualifying works a little differently than many fans expect.

The top 10 athletes from Tuesday automatically secured spots in the final, but everyone else gets another opportunity.

The remaining skiers will compete again in a second qualification round Wednesday morning, where the next top 10 finishers will advance.

That means Lundholm still has a lifeline — and technically, a path toward the medal round later Wednesday afternoon.

In Olympic competition, redemption stories happen fast.

Competing in the Women’s Division Under IOC Rules

Lundholm’s participation is permitted under the International Olympic Committee’s current transgender inclusion framework, introduced in 2021.

Rather than imposing one universal rule, the IOC leaves eligibility decisions largely in the hands of individual sports federations and national governing bodies.

Lundholm was cleared through Sweden’s sporting authorities, making him the only openly trans athlete competing at this year’s Games.

This approach reflects the IOC’s broader push toward balancing inclusion with fairness — though it remains one of the most contested issues in modern sport.

Lundholm Says He Feels Comfortable Where He Is

Lundholm has spoken openly about why he competes in women’s events despite identifying as male.

In an earlier interview with Swedish broadcaster SVT, he explained that he has felt accepted and supported.

“I came out and identified as a man,” he said, “but I compete against women because they have the same qualifications as me. And that’s okay with everyone.”

For Lundholm, the focus seems to remain on skiing rather than politics — even though the world around him often pulls the conversation elsewhere.

Facing Criticism and Blocking Out the Noise

With visibility comes backlash, and Lundholm hasn’t pretended otherwise.

He acknowledged hearing criticism from outside voices but insisted he refuses to let it shake him.

“You can hear the voices out there,” he said.

“But then I do my thing, and I don’t give a damn.”

That kind of defiance has become familiar among trailblazing athletes, especially those competing under intense scrutiny.

Olympic Officials Prepare for Online Hate

Because transgender athletes often become targets online, the IOC is taking extra precautions.

This year, the organization is using an AI-driven social media monitoring tool designed to detect and reduce hateful or abusive content directed at athletes.

Sweden’s Olympic leadership is also staying alert.

Officials from the Swedish Ski Association have pledged to monitor comments closely and remove harmful material if necessary.

Sports director Robert Hansson expressed confidence in Lundholm’s resilience, saying the skier is mentally strong and unlikely to be easily rattled.

A Bigger Conversation Playing Out in Real Time

Lundholm’s Olympic appearance comes at a moment when transgender participation in sports is being debated globally — from grassroots competitions to elite international events.

Some argue inclusion should be prioritized, while others raise concerns about competitive fairness in sex-segregated categories.

The IOC’s current framework tries to avoid sweeping bans while leaving room for sport-specific rules, but the discussion is far from settled.

For now, Lundholm’s presence alone marks a milestone — regardless of Tuesday’s score.

What’s next?

All eyes now turn to Wednesday morning’s second qualifying round.

Lundholm will have another chance to place in the top 10 and advance to the finals later in the day.

A medal may be a long shot after Tuesday’s performance, but Olympic sport is full of unexpected comebacks.

Even beyond results, Lundholm’s participation is already cemented as part of Winter Olympic history — and the story is still unfolding.

Summary

Swedish skier Elis Lundholm, the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics, finished last in the women’s moguls qualifier after a mistake on the course.

Despite the low score, the qualification format gives him another opportunity to advance in a second round.

Competing under the IOC’s 2021 inclusion framework, Lundholm has defended his place in the women’s division and says he remains unfazed by criticism.

With support from Swedish officials and protective measures from the IOC against online hate, Lundholm will attempt to qualify again and continue his groundbreaking Olympic journey.