Olympic biathlete undergoes heart surgery after withdrawing from race mid-competition

"A subsequent electrophysiological study revealed an atrial conduction abnormality, which recommended a subsequent ablation, which has already been performed and was a complete success," the Italian Winter Sports Federation (FISI) announced Tuesday. 

"Tommaso will be discharged on Thursday morning and will undergo further scheduled checks in two weeks. Once completed, he will be allowed to return to regular training."

Giacomel wrote on his Instagram story that he was "gutted" that his season was "over."

"I'm okay - if I can say I am okay when I had to DNF while I was leading an Olympic race…" Giacomel wrote in an Instagram post last week with a photo of himself from a hospital bed.

"Right after the second prone my body somehow stopped working properly and I was really struggling to breath and to move, therefore I had to stop. Worst feeling I have ever experienced in my life so far. I tried to ski really slow the first part of the third lap but my body wasn't allowing me to ski anymore.

Earlier in the Games, Giacomel earned a silver medal in the mixed relay. He has three other silver medals from world championships and five victories in Biathalon World Cups.