Mikaela Shiffrin Relaxed and Grateful Ahead of Fourth Olympics

The decorated Alpine skier emphasized the process that brought her to the 2026 Winter Games in Cortina, Italy.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Mikaela Shiffrin, the most decorated Alpine skier of all time, appeared relaxed and grateful in her first press conference ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy. Shiffrin, who is competing in her fourth Olympics, emphasized the journey and process that led her back to this stage, rather than focusing on expectations or past results.

Why it matters

Shiffrin's shift in mindset and focus on the process rather than outcomes represents a significant change from her previous Olympic appearances, where the pressure and expectations were immense. This newfound sense of ease and gratitude could help her perform at her best and find success on the slopes.

The details

Shiffrin, who made her Olympic debut in 2014 at just 18 years old, has won gold, silver, and attempted six events in her previous three Olympic appearances. However, she missed the podium in every event in Beijing in 2022. This year, she has pared down her program to team combined, giant slalom, and slalom. Shiffrin's relaxed demeanor in her first press conference of the 2026 Games is a reflection of the work she has done with her therapist to manage the pressure and PTSD she has experienced from past crashes and accidents throughout her career.

  • Shiffrin made her Olympic debut in 2014 at just 18 years old.
  • She won gold in the slalom and silver in the super combined event in the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.
  • Shiffrin attempted six events in the 2022 Beijing Olympics but missed the podium in every single one.
  • Shiffrin suffered a head-over-skis crash at the Killington World Cup in 2021 that resulted in an abdominal stab wound and a PTSD diagnosis.

The players

Mikaela Shiffrin

The most decorated Alpine skier of all time, competing in her fourth Winter Olympics.

Billie Jean King

A legendary tennis player who is quoted in the article saying that "pressure is a privilege".

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What they’re saying

“There's so much else that has gone on in the course of the last four years, and the last eight years, and 16 years of my career so far. So pressure can exist (at the Games), but like Billie Jean King said, pressure is a privilege.”

— Mikaela Shiffrin (USA TODAY)

“I don't have an exact answer for how to define success at this Games. We've been working so hard, my coaches and the staff. And every single day we show up on the mountain with our values. Show up with work ethic and motivation. ... So, how I see it now, the most successful thing would be to continue this work through these Games.”

— Mikaela Shiffrin (USA TODAY)

What’s next

Shiffrin will compete in the team combined, giant slalom, and slalom events at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy.

The takeaway

Mikaela Shiffrin's shift in mindset, from focusing on expectations and past results to emphasizing the process and her values, could help her find success and fulfillment at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Her relaxed and grateful demeanor suggests she is in a good place mentally and physically, which could translate to strong performances on the slopes.