One Extraordinary Photo: Golden moment as Italy celebrates luge win

Behind the lens at the Winter Olympics, veteran photojournalist Aijaz Rahi captured a defining moment of triumph as Italian athletes celebrated their gold medal victory in luge on home soil at Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Rahi, a Bangalore-based photojournalist and photo editor with more than 30 years of experience at The Associated Press, positioned himself strategically at the finish line despite freezing temperatures to document the raw emotion of the moment.

“I wanted to capture the immediate reaction,” Rahi explained. “In Olympic competition, those first seconds after realizing you’ve won contain the most authentic emotions.”

The resulting image shows the gold medalists at the center of the frame, surrounded by ecstatic teammates who lean in to share the celebration, creating a natural composition that draws viewers into the scene. The photograph powerfully conveys the culmination of years of training and sacrifice in a single moment of jubilation.

Rahi’s approach to sports photography focuses on finding the human story behind athletic achievement. “Technical excellence in sports is expected at the Olympic level, but what separates memorable images is capturing genuine emotion,” he said. “These athletes were not just winning a medal, they were making history for their country on home territory.”

The Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo have presented unique challenges for photographers, with harsh weather conditions and fast-paced action requiring split-second timing. Photojournalists often wait for hours in sub-zero temperatures, carrying heavy equipment to multiple positions to find the perfect angle.

For Rahi, whose extensive portfolio includes documenting conflict in his native Kashmir and Afghanistan, sports photography provides a different kind of storytelling opportunity. His work has taken him to global sporting events including multiple FIFA World Cups, Cricket World Cups, and most recently, the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

“Conflict photography and sports photography share surprising similarities,” Rahi noted. “Both require anticipating decisive moments, adapting quickly to changing conditions, and finding the human element within larger events.”

The Italian team’s gold medal represents a significant achievement for the host nation, which has been eager to showcase its winter sports heritage during these Games. The photograph not only documents the athletic triumph but also captures the patriotic pride that resonates throughout the Olympic venues.

Winter Olympics organizers have prioritized creating dramatic settings for competition, understanding that compelling visual storytelling helps connect global audiences to the Games. The luge track at Cortina d’Ampezzo, with its steep drops and technical challenges, has provided particularly dramatic backdrops for photographers.

Media coverage of the Winter Olympics has evolved significantly in recent years, with digital platforms demanding both immediate content and memorable imagery that can transcend the news cycle. Veteran photographers like Rahi navigate these demands while maintaining their commitment to journalistic principles.

“What makes an Olympic photograph endure is its ability to convey the essence of the moment without explanation,” Rahi said. “When you look at this image of the Italian team, you understand immediately what’s happening – the culmination of a lifelong dream.”

The Associated Press has deployed dozens of photographers throughout Olympic venues, ensuring comprehensive coverage of both medal events and behind-the-scenes moments that provide context to the competition.

As the Winter Games continue, Rahi and his colleagues will remain positioned at finish lines, starting gates, and unexpected vantage points, ready to document the next historic moment that captures the spirit of Olympic competition.