American speed skater Greta Myers did the unexpected Olympic Games Milano Cortina made his 3000m debut on Saturday after another skater withdrew.

Czech Martina Sablikova announced she did not want to compete in the race, saying it was the “hardest sporting decision of her life”. Sablikova, who won a gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Games, said she felt “helpless” and “disappointed” and apologized to everyone.

Myers was scheduled to appear at the 2026 Cortina, Milan Olympics in the women’s 1,500 m, as the U.S. did not qualify a single skater for the women’s long-distance race. However, Myers’ times were fast enough to secure the first alternate spot in the quota, NBC reported.

21 year old from Minnesota published Saturday on her social media: “HEY! Today I’m going to race 3K!!!! Pretty unexpected, but incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to skate and do my best!! Let’s go!!!!!”

Myers finished Saturday’s race in 20th place with a time of 4:13.46, far from medal contention. Italy’s Francesca Lollobrigida, with an Olympic record of 3:54.28, won gold, while Norway’s Ragne Wiklund and Canada’s Valeria Maltais rounded out the podium.

After the race, Myers told NBC’s Lewis Johnson that it was “really crazy” to find out just hours before she would be making her Olympic debut.

“When I first heard I was in the 3K, I had just fallen during a top-speed effort, so I was a little shaken and frustrated about the fall, but once I really processed that I was going to race, I just couldn’t believe it,” she said.

Myers added, “When I got back to the locker room, I started crying a little bit… I was just trying to take it all in. My body isn’t ready to start yet. Our team pursuit race is a week from today, so we’re still training so we can be really strong in the 14th for the qualifying round. I can’t wait to show you everything I’ve got.”

Myers will compete in the women’s 1500m, women’s 5000m and women’s mass start.