Andorra Skier Irineu Esteve Faces Retirement After Worst Season

Irineu Esteve, Andorra's leading cross-country skier, faces an uncertain future after what he describes as the worst season of his career. The 30-year-old athlete says he will only continue competing if he can return to full strength, leaving open the possibility of retirement.

In an interview on Diari TV's *Parlem-ne* programme, Esteve explained that his decision hinges on his physical recovery and renewed motivation. "I don't want to end like this," he said, referring to the disappointing winter. After undergoing hip surgery in May, he recovered quickly—resuming roller skiing in under two months with tests showing peak form. But autumn brought a sharp decline as his team ramped up intensity at the expense of rest, leading to overtraining and a collapsed nervous system.

This forced him to skip the Olympics, which he had targeted for a top-10 or top-15 finish. "I'm not disappointed about pulling out," Esteve said. "I knew I couldn't be where I wanted to be." He has no interest in merely participating. Recovery is progressing slowly—half the symptoms have faded, with improved energy and no more dizziness—but elevated heart rate and persistent fatigue remain. He plans to wait until fully symptom-free before resuming training and assessing his prospects for the season's end.

Esteve once aimed to retire before 30, but with expiring contracts and subpar results, he refuses to prolong his career out of inertia. Amid the uncertainty, he praised teammates Gina del Rio, whose recent seasons have been "excellent" and drawn international acclaim, and Joan Verdú for his consistency against larger nations' resources.

He also voiced strong scepticism about the Olympics, calling them "the most political races of all." Esteve criticised imposed sponsors, commercial restrictions, unequal accommodations—some teams in the Olympic Village, others in hotels—and massive budget disparities that undermine fairness. While acknowledging the event's visibility for niche sports, he prefers World Championships or World Cups, where performance matters more than politics.