Jessie Diggins Aims for More Olympic Medals in Final Games

America's most decorated cross-country skier looks to add to her legacy at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Jessie Diggins, the most decorated American cross-country skier, is set to compete in her fourth and final Olympic Games at the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 event. The 34-year-old from Afton, Minnesota, has already won three Olympic medals, including a historic gold in the team sprint with Kikkan Randall in 2013. Diggins has shown strong form this season, winning her third Tour de Ski title at the Milan-Cortina venue, and is aiming to cement her legacy as the greatest U.S. cross-country skier ever.

Why it matters

Diggins' potential success at the Milan-Cortina Olympics would further solidify her status as a trailblazer for American cross-country skiing. Her retirement after the 2026 Games will leave a void on the U.S. Ski Team, but she hopes to inspire the next generation of skiers to carry on her legacy.

The details

Diggins kicked off her fourth Olympic Games with a somewhat disappointing eighth-place finish in the women's skiathlon, after crashing early in the race. She then struggled in the individual sprint classic, unable to move past the quarterfinals. However, Diggins remains focused on her remaining events, particularly the 10km freestyle, an event in which she has excelled. The three-time overall World Cup champion is determined to make the most of her final Olympic appearance.

  • Diggins won a historic gold medal in the team sprint at the 2013 World Championships in Val di Fiemme, Italy.
  • Diggins recently captured her third Tour de Ski title at the Milan-Cortina Olympic venue on January 4, 2026.
  • Diggins kicked off her fourth Olympic Games on Saturday, February 11, 2026, with the women's skiathlon.
  • Diggins' second race, the individual sprint classic, took place on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

The players

Jessie Diggins

America's most decorated cross-country skier, who is set to compete in her fourth and final Olympic Games at the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 event.

Kikkan Randall

Diggins' former teammate, with whom she won a historic gold medal in the team sprint at the 2013 World Championships.

Julia Kern

Diggins' U.S. teammate, who qualified for the final in the individual sprint classic at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics, finishing sixth.

Kevin Bolger

A fellow U.S. Olympian who addressed Diggins' retirement and the legacy she will leave behind on the team.

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What they’re saying

“It was super exciting, that world championship gold with Kikkan was very special for me and the whole 2013 team. That was a team with so many people that I love and care deeply about, so I feel so lucky to have had a career that has spanned some amazing generations of skiers.”

— Jessie Diggins (POWDER Magazine)

“What Jessie has brought to the team and done for for the program is just incredible and it's cool to see that she is now going to go on to bigger and better things, I hope. She's going to leave behind a really cool legacy that I hope that the rest of this team can kind of take it and run with it.”

— Kevin Bolger, U.S. Olympian (N/A)

What’s next

Diggins is still on track to race all six events on the Milan-Cortina Olympic program, with a focus on the 10km freestyle on Thursday, February 13, 2026.

The takeaway

Jessie Diggins' final Olympic appearance at Milan-Cortina 2026 will be an emotional farewell for the most decorated American cross-country skier. Despite a slow start, she remains determined to add to her legacy and inspire the next generation of U.S. skiers.