Mikaela Shiffrin, the most decorated alpine skier in history, is approaching her fourth Olympic Winter Games with a renewed sense of resolve: making peace with the high-stakes spectacle that has defined peaks and valleys in her illustrious career.
In an exclusive October 2025 interview with Olympics.com, the 30-year-old American opened up about overcoming lingering fears from her challenging Beijing 2022 experience, where she crashed out of three events amid immense pressure.
“I don’t want Beijing to be the reason that I’m scared of the Olympics,” Shiffrin said. “And for the past few years, it has been a little bit… I want to make peace with the Olympics.”
The double Olympic gold medalist (slalom in Sochi 2014, giant slalom in PyeongChang 2018) emphasized that her Milano-Cortina 2026 mindset is not about “unfinished business,” but rather embracing the Games on her terms. Familiar terrain in Cortina d’Ampezzo — a beloved World Cup stop where Shiffrin has excelled — adds excitement, contrasting the unknowns of past Olympic venues.
Shiffrin plans a focused program, likely targeting three events: slalom, giant slalom, and the new team combined — a “dream” discipline after she and Breezy Johnson claimed the inaugural world title in 2025. She’s ruled out downhill and remains realistic about super-G, prioritizing physical and mental health after recent injuries.
Dominating the 2025/26 World Cup season so far with four consecutive slalom victories (including her record-extending 105th career win in Courchevel last week), Shiffrin feels wiser and more comfortable embracing fear. “I’m a thicker onion!” she joked, highlighting personal growth amid triumphs and traumas.
As the Milano-Cortina Games approach in February 2026, Shiffrin’s evolved approach — blending motivation, realism, and vulnerability — positions her not just to compete, but to redefine her Olympic legacy.
