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Killington Village Today
By the People, for the People
Simone Biles Rallies Behind Mikaela Shiffrin As Medal Drought Extends at the Winter Olympics
Biles sends support to Shiffrin after her giant slalom podium miss at 2026 Winter Olympics, shortly after team combined heartbreak.
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
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Mikaela Shiffrin continued her Olympic medal drought as she finished 11th in the women's giant slalom at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This result came after she narrowly missed the team combined podium alongside Breezy Johnson. Despite the heartbreak, Shiffrin received massive support from the most decorated gymnast, Simone Biles, who also made a surprise appearance in Milan to take in the energy there.
Why it matters
Shiffrin's struggles at the Olympics highlight the immense pressure and mental challenges elite athletes face, even at the pinnacle of their careers. Biles' support and advocacy for mental health in sports has been crucial in destigmatizing these issues and showing athletes they are not alone.
The details
Mikaela Shiffrin was one of the podium hopes for the American team, but her journey back to the giant slalom course at the Olympics was not an easy one. She suffered a major crash in the event in Killington over a year ago and was left with a puncture wound in her abdomen. She missed 11 weeks of competition, and after an extended recovery and rehabilitation, she opened up about developing PTSD and having many doubts about resuming competition in the giant slalom. Nevertheless, Mikaela Shiffrin showed resilience by taking another shot at the event during the 2025–26 World Cup season. Although she did not earn a podium finish, she built the mindset needed to compete at the Olympics.
- Shiffrin suffered a major crash in the giant slalom event in Killington over a year ago.
- Shiffrin missed 11 weeks of competition after the Killington crash.
- Shiffrin competed in the giant slalom event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in February.
The players
Mikaela Shiffrin
A 28-year-old American alpine skier who is the winningest alpine skier of all time with 108 World Cup victories.
Simone Biles
A seven-time Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics who has become a mental health advocate, inspiring many people to be vocal about their feelings.
Breezy Johnson
An American alpine skier who competed alongside Mikaela Shiffrin in the team combined event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
What they’re saying
“Moments like these are reminders of why I love this sport.”
— Mikaela Shiffrin (profootballnetwork.com)
“I have nightmares.”
— Mikaela Shiffrin (profootballnetwork.com)
“People who throw shade at athletes do not understand what they go through or how much hard work it takes to become the best in the sport.”
— Simone Biles (profootballnetwork.com)
What’s next
Shiffrin will look to bounce back at the upcoming World Cup events as she continues her pursuit of Olympic glory.
The takeaway
Shiffrin's resilience in the face of adversity and Biles' unwavering support for her fellow athlete highlight the importance of mental health awareness and destigmatization in the high-pressure world of elite sports.
