Mikaela Shiffrin’s triumphant return to the Olympic podium has earned her yet another shot at greatness—this time off the slopes.
Just days after capturing her third career Olympic gold medal in the women’s slalom at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games, the American alpine skiing superstar has been named a finalist for the 96th AAU James E. Sullivan Award, one of the most prestigious honors in U.S. amateur sports.
The award, presented annually by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), recognizes the nation’s top athlete based not only on competitive excellence but also on leadership, character, and sportsmanship. Past winners include legends like Michael Phelps (2003), Peyton Manning (1997), and more recently, Caitlin Clark (2022 and 2023).
Team USA and U.S. Ski & Snowboard wasted no time rallying support. On Monday, the official account posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Voting is officially open for the 96th AAU Sullivan Award, and @MikaelaShiffrin is a finalist ‼️” The post included a direct link to the voting page, with polls closing on Thursday, March 5, 2026. The winner will be revealed at a ceremony on April 7, 2026, at the New York Athletic Club.
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Shiffrin’s path to this nomination was anything but smooth. The 30-year-old endured a challenging start in Milan-Cortina, finishing just off the podium in the inaugural team combined event and placing 11th in giant slalom—extending a personal medal drought from recent major competitions. But she silenced doubters in her signature discipline, dominating the slalom final with a commanding performance to claim gold and become the most decorated female alpine skier in Olympic history.
Her resilience, combined with her advocacy for mental health, mentorship of younger athletes, and unwavering team spirit, made her a standout among this year’s diverse finalists. Fellow Winter Olympians include figure skaters Alysa Liu and Ilia Malinin, ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates, plus stars from other sports like wrestler Zahid Valencia, basketball standout Braden Smith, and more.
Mikaela Shiffrin at the 2026 Olympics: The secret to her thrilling slalom victory.
Fans have flooded social media with calls to vote for Shiffrin, praising her as the embodiment of what the Sullivan Award celebrates: elite performance paired with genuine class and inspiration.
With public voting now live, the race is on—will Shiffrin add this coveted accolade to her trophy case? Head to the official AAU voting site before the deadline and cast your ballot for the skier who turned setbacks into Olympic redemption. 🇺🇸⛷️
Your vote could crown America’s next Sullivan Award winner!
