NBC News has issued a public apology after referring to Swedish Olympic skier Elis Lundholm using female pronouns during coverage of the Winter Olympics. Lundholm, a competitor in the women's moguls event, identifies as male despite being biologically female, prompting backlash over the network's use of "she" in its reporting.
The controversy erupted around Lundholm's participation, highlighted by a February 9, 2026, tweet from the NOH8 Campaign, which described her as "making history as the first openly transgender skier to compete in the Winter Olympics, representing Sweden on the world stage." The post included the hashtag #NOH8 and a photo, underscoring her visibility on the international stage.
Lundholm, who hails from Sweden, has drawn attention not only for her athletic performance but also for her presentation, including baggy clothing and a masculine haircut. Despite claiming a male identity and using male pronouns, she competed in the women's category without the use of testosterone or having undergone transition surgeries, according to a report from Outkick.
The NBC apology came swiftly after the pronoun usage sparked criticism from advocates supporting Lundholm's gender identity. The network acknowledged the error in aligning with her preferred pronouns, reflecting ongoing debates in sports media about coverage of transgender athletes.
Lundholm's debut marks a milestone for openly transgender competitors in Olympic skiing history, as noted by the NOH8 Campaign. Her participation in women's moguls has fueled discussions on inclusion, fairness, and representation at the highest levels of winter sports.
Representing Sweden, Lundholm's presence at the Winter Olympics underscores the evolving landscape of gender identity in elite athletics. While specific details on her competition results were not immediately available, her story has captured significant attention amid the games.
