As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina approach, American alpine skiing star Mikaela Shiffrin has candidly shared her complex relationship with the quadrennial event. Despite an illustrious career boasting over 100 FIS Ski World Cup victories and two Olympic gold medals, Shiffrin admits she still grapples with understanding the unique demands of the Olympic stage, particularly after a disappointing performance at the 2022 Beijing Games.
In Beijing, Shiffrin competed in six events but left without a medal, a stark contrast to her earlier successes at the 2014 Sochi and 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. Reflecting on her Olympic journey, the 30-year-old skier emphasized the importance of familiarity with the competition venue. “The more I feel like I understand the Olympics, the more I realize I know nothing about them,” Shiffrin told Eurosport France. She noted that the unfamiliar setting of Beijing, compounded by the challenges of the pandemic, posed significant hurdles. In contrast, she feels more confident heading into Cortina d’Ampezzo, a venue where she has a strong track record.
Shiffrin’s history at Cortina d’Ampezzo bodes well for 2026. At the 2021 FIS Ski World Championships held there, she claimed a gold medal in the combined event, a silver in giant slalom, and bronze medals in super-G and slalom. “Cortina is a place I know well, unlike the last Olympics,” she said, expressing optimism about leveraging her experience at the familiar location.
The skiing phenom also revealed a strategic shift for the upcoming Games, opting for a more focused approach. “I have been to Games where I skied six disciplines; I will never do that again because it is too exhausting,” Shiffrin explained. Instead, she plans to compete in three events, including the new team combined event, which she described as a personal goal. “I dream of it,” she added.
As Shiffrin prepares for Milano Cortina, her reflections underscore a seasoned athlete’s determination to balance experience with adaptability, aiming to reclaim her Olympic success on a course she knows well.
