Lebanese Skier Samer Tawk Returns to the Olympics After Near-Fatal Skiing Accident
Lebanese cross‑country skier Samer Tawk has written one of the most inspiring comeback stories. At just 19, Tawk made history as Lebanon’s first Olympic cross‑country skier, competing in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and carrying the Lebanese flag at the opening ceremony. But his journey nearly came to a tragic end the following year.
A Life‑Changing Accident
In April 2019, while skiing in the mountains of Lebanon, Tawk suffered a devastating 14‑meter fall that left him with catastrophic injuries. He was unconscious for nearly 20 minutes and rushed to intensive care with multiple fractures in both his arms and legs, including severe breaks in his pelvis, internal bleeding, and nerve damage. Doctors told him to forget skiing competitively.
Tawk was bedridden for months, undergoing a grueling rehabilitation process. He spent 90 days in bed and underwent nine surgeries, losing significant muscle mass and enduring extreme physical hardship. Despite these odds, he refused to give up on his dreams.
Early in his recovery, Tawk even considered the Paralympics as an alternative, acknowledging how severe his injuries were. But his mindset was relentless: he kept visualizing a return to competitive skiing, working with a sports psychologist and committing to long, painful months of therapy.
Even after years of hard work, the physical scars remain. Tawk still experiences pain, reduced sensation in his left leg in cold conditions, and limited mobility in his hand and elbow.
Back to the Olympic Stage
Seven years after his accident, Tawk has made an extraordinary comeback. He qualified for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan‑Cortina, returning to the same global stage he first reached in 2018.
While he isn’t necessarily chasing a medal, a podium finish remains an immense challenge in a sport long dominated by nations with vast winter sports infrastructures, just being there is a victory in itself. For Tawk, the Olympics represent not only athletic achievement but personal resilience and national pride.
Tawk has made it clear that his return isn’t about comparing himself to skiers from powerhouse countries like Norway or Sweden. He sees his presence at the Games as a way to inspire others, to show that persistence and belief can overcome even the most daunting setbacks.
Wishing our Olympian Samer Tawk all the best! Showing the world Lebanese resilience and pride 🇱🇧
