Photos show the moment Lindsey Vonn crashed | AP News By JACQUELYN MARTIN
Skying ⛷️ Your ♥️ Out Team USA 🇺🇸
Lindsey Vonn’s comeback ends in a crash
You need to have grit and determination to show up at the starting gate!!!!
Why the 2026 Winter Olympics were the most compelling ever
US gymnast Simone Biles has four words on Winter Olympics development.
Team USA took home 33 medals in the recently concluded Winter Olympics, marking their best finish since the 2010 edition when they won 37. Their run was capped off by a thrilling win by the men’s hockey team over Canada.
The men’s team delivered a strong finish, but this second-place overall result—their best since winning nine gold medals at the 2006 Torino Games—was largely due to the female athletes.
ESPN pointed out in an Instagram post featuring figure skater Alyssa Liu that American women won eight of the country’s 12 gold medals. The caption read:
“You can’t win without women 💪”
Simone Biles, considered one of the greatest female athletes in history, reacted to the achievement by reposting ESPN’s post on her Instagram account.
“I know that’s right 🤏🏾🤏🏾🤏🏾”, she wrote.
One of the most gruesome injuries of the entire two weeks came when superstar skier Lindsey Vonn took a brutal fall and suffered a complex tibia fracture that required four surgeries to reconstruct once she flew back to the United States.
Forced into retirement by injuries in 2019 before mounting a comeback in 2024, the American superstar skier, 41, entered the Olympics enjoying the healthiest season she could remember. That changed less than a week before the women’s downhill began, when she tore a knee ligament in a crash. Determined to compete in a brace despite the injury, Lindsey Vonn qualified for the downhill final with one of the fastest times in the entire field.
Then crashes during an alpine ski women’s downhill race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. With only 13 seconds into her run, she hooked a gate with her right arm and was sent spiraling, head-over-skis, into a crash that left a Cortina d’Ampezzo crowd full of her friends and family silent. She has undergone five surgeries, and her father has said he doesn’t want her to race again. AP PHOTOS/Jacquelyn Martin Lindsey Vonn photo – Search
Lindsey Vonn Fires Back at “Selfish” Critics After Torn ACL Olympic Controversy – qnewscente.com
Lindsey Vonn isn’t staying quiet. From a hospital bed following her devastating crash at the Milano Cortina 2026, the 41-year-old legend addressed critics who called her “selfish” for competing with a torn ACL.
Her response? The numbers don’t lie…. See details
Everyone is missing the real story here, the gates don’t release. Thinking about safety. Two or three feet in the air, seventy plus mph. You get released from the gate after you are pulled back and turned ninety degrees. A safety release and the outcome is completely different. Nothing to do with ACL , age, or .
The real story is that the ACL plays a critical part in controlling the movement and reaction of the whole leg. Of course it played a huge part in her crash and subsequent fracture. People never have anything good to say about successful people; it is human nature!
It is Called the crab in the box syndrome!
Crab mentality, also known as crab theory,[1] crabs in a bucket[a] mentality, or the crab-bucket effect, describes the mindset of people who try to prevent others from gaining a favorable position, even if attaining such position would not directly impact those trying to stop them. It is usually summarized with the phrase: “If I can’t have it, neither can you”.[2]
The metaphor is derived from anecdotal claims about the behavior of crabs contained in an open bucket: if a crab starts to climb out,[3] it will be pulled back in by the others, ensuring the group’s collective demise.[4][5][6]
The analogous theory in human behavior is that members of a group will attempt to reduce the self-confidence of any member who achieves success beyond others, out of envy, jealousy, resentment, spite, conspiracy, or competitive feelings, in order to halt their progress.[7][8][9][10]
It’s not being selfish, it’s called having the guts to try instead of giving up. Besides, she earned that spot all you haters out there font have the huevos to do what she did. If I had her talent and determination I might have done the same. There’s always going to be complainers no matter what you do. Go for everything that you want Lindsey!!
Dr. Tom Hackett saved Lindsey Vonn’s leg – Search
Athletes compete with injuries all the time. They know their bodies and how far they can push themselves. For me it’s the Olympics , I’m pushing through injury. Lindsey Vonn is speaking directly to fans for the first time since suffering a devastating leg injury during her Olympic run, offering a raw and honest update from her hospital bed as she begins what she admits will be a long recovery.
Lindsey Vonn confirmed her six-hour surgery was successful but remains hospitalized as she recovers. Newsradio WTAM 1100 
https://ebx.sh/FrTdhh
Mia Manganello Kilburg skated her last lap. And what a lap it was. 
FROM CRESTVIEW TO THE OLYMPIC PODIUM.
At 36 years old, Mia Manganello Kilburg skated her last lap. And what a lap it was. in her final race ever, she brought home bronze in the women’s mass start—the first-ever Olympic medal for the U.S. in the event. A historic moment. A perfect ending.
Across America, the reaction was overwhelming:
NBC Olympics called it “a fantastic farewell”—the culmination of a career that spanned setbacks, a six-year break for professional cycling, and an unforgettable return to the podium.
Team USA celebrated her as a trailblazer, the oldest American speed skater to ever win an Olympic medal.
In her home state of Florida, they hailed her as a local legend—a woman who helped push the U.S. past Italy in the final medal standings.
And then there was that moment. The victory lap with the flag. The tearful embrace with teammate Greta Myers. The kind of goodbye every athlete dreams of. What an amazing career and amazing achievement! Congratulations Mia Manganello
#TeamUSA #winterolympics #usspeedskating
GOD BLESS THESE AMAZING ATHLETES!
Top Ten Highlights of the 2026 Winter Olympics
10. Evan Bates’ historic figure skating career
Madison Chock’s post featuring Alysa Liu draws attention
Bates became the first American figure skater to compete in five Winter Olympics, earning gold in the team event and silver in ice dance in Milan. Alongside partner and wife Madison Chock, he set the record for most consecutive podium finishes at U.S. Nationals. His flag-bearing role was announced by Chock, sparking an emotional celebration from his skating team.
One of the most decorated skaters in Olympic history, ice dancer Bates was the perfect choice for flag bearer as a five-time Olympian, three-time Olympic medalist, three-time world champion, and seven-time national champion. Bates’ longtime skating partner and wife, Madison Chock, was honored to drop the news that he would bear the American flag during the Closing Ceremony, an achievement that sparked his entire skating team to embrace him in a proud group hug.
With their seventh U.S. title victory in January 2026, Chock and Bates now hold the record for most consecutive podium finishes at U.S. Nationals in any discipline. “It’s so humbling: 232 athletes, everyone with their own story, and so many who are worthy of this honor,” Bates told TODAY while reflecting on becoming a flag bearer.
Judge Who Cost Madison Chock, Evan Bates Gold Has Dubious History
Published Feb 12, 2026, at 11:57 AM EST
By Andrew McCarty
United States figure skaters Madison Chock and Evan Bates were denied a gold medal in the ice dance event on Wednesday night as French couple Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron landed the top score.
The event, though, wasn’t without controversy. Five of the nine judges for the event gave Chock and Bates the top score, while four judges gave Beaudry and Cizeron top marks. Czech judge Richard Kosina awarded Beaudry and Cizeron the highest score of the bunch, a 138.49, and scored Chock and Bates at 135.23.
More Olympics: Madison Chock Breaks Silence After French Judge, Olympics Controversy
Gold medal winners Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron of France on the podium with silver medal winners Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States after the Figure Skating, Ice Dance Free Dance at the Milano Ice Skating Arena at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games 2026 on February 11th, 2026 in Milan, Italy.
The controversy came from French judge Jezabel Dabouis, who gave Beaudry and Cizeron a 137.45 and gave Chock and Bates a 129.74 – a 7.71 point difference and the lowest score for Chock and Bates of any of the nine judges.
More Olympics: French Skater’s Madison Chock, Evan Bates Post Goes Viral Amid Controversy
SBNation dove into Dabouis’ scoring of the event and made a startling revelation.
“Not only did she judge the French pair 6.45 points higher than the mean, but she undervalued Chock/Bates by -7.19 — giving us a +13.64 delta favoring France over USA in the final score. This represents a staggering 6.37 standard deviation z-score difference across the event,” the outlet wrote. After diving into events leading up to the Winter Olympics, SB Nation noted Dabouis had a history of dubious scores.
“There has been a consistent pattern from Jézabel Dabois over multiple events of juicing scores for F. Beaudry/Cizeron in the ice dance, while filing low scores for their opponents. When it comes to the Olympic Games, in which France won gold by just 1.43 points, there is no doubt that the scoring of Dabois was the key differentiator in deciding who won the event,” it wrote.
In transparency, U.S. judge Janis Engel awarded Chock and Bates their highest score, a 137.67, and gave Beaudry and Cizeron a 133.57, which was the third-lowest of all nine judges.
More Olympics: USA’s Amber Glenn Breaks Silence on Olympics Controversy After Gold Medal – Search
9. Stoddard expressed how she felt over how poorly she had performed.
Corinne Stoddard of the United States in a women’s 3000m relay semifinal heat during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. James Lang-Imagn Images
The expectations were high for United States speed skater Corinne Stoddard heading into the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The 24-year-old set the national record in the women’s 1,000-meter race (1:26.460) at the 2025 Short Track U.S. Championships in September.
Stoddard also earned eight individual medals during the 2025-26 ISU Short Track World Tour, finishing the season ranked second in the event. The performance led to Stoddard being named to Team USA for the 2026 Olympics. This is Stoddard’s second Winter Games; she also represented her country at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
However, the Games have not gone as Stoddard hoped. The 24-year-old crashed in her qualifying race of her first event in the 2026 Olympics, the women’s 500. She fell in the final laps of the race and failed to qualify for the quarterfinals.
Stoddard was on the ice on Saturday for the qualifying round of the women’s short track 1000. She was involved in another incident during the race. Stoddard lost her balance in the final turn, and the Seattle, Washington, native crashed along with Poland’s Gabriela Topolska. Both racers crawled to the finish line, but Topolska clinched the final spot for the quarterfinal round.
A distraught Stoddard took to social media on Sunday to address her disappointing performances in the Olympics. “I came into the 2026 Olympics with a lot of hopes and dreams of bringing home multiple medals, considering how well I performed throughout the World Cup season. Ultimately, that hasn’t happened.
“I’m not sure what’s been going on. Part of me thinks I haven’t been able to handle the pressure and expectations I put on myself. The other part of me feels so physically drained every time I try to race,” she wrote.
“This whole experience has been incredibly unfortunate, and I feel embarrassed by how many times I’ve crashed, especially since I’m not an athlete who’s known for falling often,” she continued. “I also feel embarrassed by how much I’ve choked on the Olympic stage over and over again. This isn’t what I planned to show the world I was capable of.”
The decorated speed skater took the opportunity to apologize for her failure.
“I’m sorry to my friends and family who’ve had to watch me suffer so many times over the last week,” Stoddard said. “I have one last chance on the 20th (1,500), and then my 2026 Olympics will be over. “Thank you to everyone who has continued to be there for me.
I’m sorry I haven’t been myself 🙏”
Corinne Stoddard Posts That She’s “Embarrassed” By How She Keeps Falling – Then Goes Out and Grabs a Bronze
Corinne Stoddard was ranked third in short track for 500 and 1,000 meters. She became known for something else for much of the Milan Cortina Games – she fell a shocking four times during races and wrote a self-lacerating Instagram post that “Part of me thinks I haven’t been able to handle the pressure and expectations I put on myself” and said that she feels “embarrassed by how much I’ve choked on the Olympic stage over and over again.” (She also fell in Beijing in 2022.)
But on Friday in the 1,500-meter race, her last, she pulled off a third-place finish for bronze after holding off a pair of hometown heroes, including Italian legend Arianna Fontana. Stoddard has been public about her battles with anxiety and insomnia, and the sight of her battling through to reach the podium gave hope to anyone familiar with mental-health struggles. Stoddard’s tearful parents were mirrored by broadcaster Katherine Reutter-Adamek, who choked up with emotion. “Forgive us if we all join the parents in shedding a tear,” play-by-play man Ted Robinson said.
8. Jessie Diggins closes Olympic career with gritty 50km performance
Jessie Diggins ‘full of gratitude’ after ending Olympic career
In her final Olympic race, Jessie Diggins finished fifth in the women’s 50km classic at Milan Cortina, collapsing at the finish after giving everything she had. She stayed in medal contention until a late spill and ski grip issues slowed her, missing bronze by seconds. Despite muscle cramps and exhaustion, she described the race as an amazing and proud farewell to her Olympic career.
Jessie Diggins, the most decorated U.S. cross-country skier, ended her Olympic career with a fifth-place finish in the women’s 50km race at Milan Cortina. The 34-year-old, who has competed in four Winter Games and earned four medals, raced through painful rib injuries to also win bronze earlier in the 2026 Games. While her Olympic journey has ended, she will continue competing in the World Cup season, aiming to secure another overall title.
From historic gold to final bronze: A look back at Diggins’ Olympic medal legacy
Diggins’ Olympic journey began in 2014 and peaked in 2018 when she and Kikkan Randall won the USA’s first gold in cross-country skiing. She added silver and bronze in Beijing 2022, and in Milan Cortina 2026, she won bronze in the 10km event despite painful rib bruising from a fall. Her four medals make her the most decorated U.S. cross-country skier in history.
Racing through pain: How Diggins overcame injury to reach the podium in 2026
At Milan Cortina, Diggins suffered severe rib bruising during the skiathlon yet pushed through to claim bronze in the 10km race. She endured pain and exhaustion, collapsing after the finish, but celebrated the achievement as a career highlight. Her resilience in the face of injury underscored her reputation for grit and determination.
Beyond the snow: Diggins’ advocacy and influence off the course
Diggins has used her platform to advocate for climate change awareness and support for people with eating disorders. Known for her openness and positivity, she has mentored younger teammates and promoted balance alongside competitiveness. Even in Italy, she joined lighthearted team dances, reflecting her approach to blending intensity with joy.
What’s next: Diggins’ focus on the World Cup after Olympic farewell
Although her Olympic career has ended, Diggins remains committed to finishing her final competitive season strongly. Holding the overall World Cup lead, she aims to secure another crystal globe with final races scheduled for March in Lake Placid, New York. She has previously announced her plan to retire at the end of this season.
All about skier Jessie Diggins and why she ended her Olympic career in Milan
Cassie Sharpe stretchered off after halfpipe crash | Watch
7. America’s freestyling ‘Lizard’ leads a gold-silver medal grab in women’s ski moguls
LIVIGNO, Italy — When she was a young girl, Elizabeth Lemley’s father Wayne would take her and her brother down to Eagle Airport near Vail, Colorado, and put them in the back seat of a single-engine plane while he trained to be a pilot.
Up in the air she’d go, little Liz, feeling the rush of the takeoff, gliding through the clouds, building up to top speed. Eventually, she’d fly planes herself, a hobby that perhaps isn’t too far removed from the career that just won her a gold medal.
“My favorite type of flying is acrobatics,” Lemley said. “I’ve only done it a few times, but I love the adrenaline. It’s similar to skiing. I love the risk.”
Understand that this qualifies as a pretty bold statement for Lemley, a soft-spoken 20-year old who keeps her cards close to the vest and her emotions in check. On Wednesday, moments after stunning the world with a gold-medal winning run in women’s moguls, it was hard to tell whether Lemley had just fulfilled a lifelong dream or was getting ready for an early dinner.
“She knew she was gonna win,” said Ava Keenan, who’s been skiing with Lemley since they were little and has remained one of her best friends. “She said she had second gear yesterday. We knew it. We knew this was gonna happen. She just had to ski the way she just skied.”
And how did she ski?
Almost perfectly.
Second in qualifying and fourth in the first portion of the moguls final, when it all came down to one final run, Lemley put down perhaps the best 25.81 seconds of her skiing life. After the second and final jump, a trick she calls “Slime” that she cribbed from Great Britain’s Matéo Jeannesson — a corked takeoff, a safety grab then a pullback for the final flourish — Lemley crossed the finish line, drove her fist through the air and waited for a score that turned this event on its head. It was 82.30, undoubtedly good enough to medal and perhaps high enough to claim gold.
“I didn’t expect anything from my score,” she said. “I was just thinking about my run. I was super stoked that I put one down.”
Suddenly vaulted into first place, Lemley waited at the bottom along with American teammate Jaelin Kauf, who had skied her way into second. All that remained was the run of Australia’s Jakara Anthony, one of the most accomplished moguls skiers of all time and the favorite to win gold for the second straight Olympics.
Everyone expected Anthony to do something special. But a failure to control her speed coming through the middle of the course caused her to spin out as she turned her skis. Just like that, Anthony’s run was over and Lemley was the third American to win this event, joining Hannah Kearney in 2010 and Donna Weinbrecht in 1992. The large American contingent holding signs for Lemley and Kauf were delirious, breaking out into hugs before the winners eventually made their way from the podium, both of them hoisted onto shoulders as they showed off their medals.
“I’m so proud of Liz,” said Kauf, who also won silver four years ago and was thrilled to do it this time after a pretty shaky qualifying run Tuesday that almost caused her to miss the finals. “It speaks volumes to our team and what our team is capable of to have us go 1-2 on the Olympic stage.”
To those in the freeski world, it’s not a surprise that Lemley became a gold medalist. She’s always been a bit of a prodigy, winning her first World Cup event at age 16 and the Youth Olympic Games gold in 2024. The stunning part is that she did it this soon, against this field, in her first crack at the Winter Games.
“She’s a silent assassin,” said Jim Keenan, Ava’s father and a close family friend. “She doesn’t say much, but in her head, she knows what she’s doing.” Lemley’s own father, the one who put her on skis and in airplanes practically before she could walk, is supposed to arrive in Italy this weekend to watch the dual moguls event.
According to one Team USA official, he was too nervous to watch Wednesday’s competition in person.
He missed a heck of a show, but Lemley’s large crew of coaches and friends engulfed her in hugs. As usual, for someone who’s been flying high their whole life, she was the calm in the center of the storm.
“I guess my coach would definitely describe me as pretty stoic,” she said. “I like to stay calm and just feel the moment around me. I think everybody’s different. Some people have a lot of success being super emotional but for me it just works to be super calm.”
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CHAMPIONS!!!
Take a look back through the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, an emotional and heartfelt journey with incredible highs and lows, gold medals and heartbreak, one that left a legacy that should be felt for years to come.
Mikaela Shiffrin, Alysa Liu, and the Titans of Team USA at the Milan Olympics | NBC Sports
A Winter Olympics for the ages: the legacy Milan will leave behind | Inside the Rings – YouTube
When they Knew: the best medal-winning athlete reactions at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics
Proud Patriots: Athletes at Milan Cortina Olympics proud to represent home countries | NBC Sports
6. Stolz: from his backyard pond to superstardom | NBC Sports
Jordan Stolz of the United States during a men’s speed skating mass start semifinal during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Speed Skating Stadium. AFP via Getty Images6. Jordan
American speed skater Jordan Stolz will leave the 2026 Milan Cortina Games with three medals and two Olympic records after he narrowly failed to medal in his final event of the competition.
The men’s mass start Saturday ultimately became a nail-biting race for bronze after Dutch Jorrit Bergsma and Danish Viktor Hald Thorup pulled ahead early.
Stolz, 21, looked positioned to win bronze down the final stretch, but Italy’s Andrea Giovannini ultimately edged him out for the final podium spot.
Stolz finished fourth, with a time of 8:04.51 – less than a tenth second behind Giovannini.
Bergsma, 40, won the men’s mass start, earning his first Olympic gold medal since 2014. Thorup finished second.
Stolz had a tough finish to his overall impressive second Olympics.
2026 WINTER OLYMPICS
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- Team USA claims most Gold medals ever in Winter Games
- Jordan Stolz fails to medal in final event in crushing end to 2026 Games
- Polish speed skater Kamila Sellier gives hospital update after taking blade to face
After winning the 500-meter and 1,000-meter events, setting Olympic records in both with his times, Stolz was the heavy favorite to win Thursday’s 1,500-meter event. But, in one of the biggest upsets of the 2026 Games, Stolz earned the silver medal in the 1,500-meter race behind Chinese gold medalist Ning Zhongyan, who skated the race of his life.
As Bergsma and Thorup’s lead in Saturday’s race grew, there was an anticipation for the peloton to turn on the jets, especially Stolz, whose strategy typically includes a full-on sprint in the final lap of the race.
Italy’s Andrea Giovannini (L) celebrates winning the bronze medal as USA’s Jordan Stolz reacts after competing in the speed skating men’s mass start final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. AFP via Getty Images
Ultimately, the group couldn’t make up the lost ground.
In a race for the bronze, Stolz looked poised to earn a spot on the podium but Giovannini beat him in a stunning photo finish.
Jordan Stolz’s small-town roots helped create a skating star | Winter Olympics 2026 | NBC Sports
Young Wisconsin Olympian Jordan Stolz talks speed skating career
5. Alex Ferreira Wins His First Gold Medal on His Last-Ever Olympic Run
Hotdog Hans asks Alex Ferreira about his Olympic journey | NBC Olympics
The details
Hotdog Hans is described as an 85- or 90-year-old former hotdog skier who loves booze, skiing, and women. He’s known for his retro wraparound sunglasses, gray billy goat beard, and reckless skiing style that defies his advanced age. Ferreira, a 31-year-old U.S. freestyle skier and X Games gold medalist, has created a series of popular TikTok videos portraying the character of Hotdog Hans as his older, wilder alter ego to entertain himself and his fans.
- Hotdog Hans is a longtime fixture on the ski slopes, though his exact age is unknown.
- The 2026 Winter Olympics are currently underway in Livigno, Italy.
The players
Hotdog Hans
An 85- or 90-year-old former hotdog skier known for his outrageous antics, retro style, and refusal to take life too seriously.
Alex Ferreira
A 31-year-old U.S. freestyle skier and X Games gold medalist who has created viral TikTok videos portraying the character of Hotdog Hans as his older, wilder alter ego.
Some Olympic athletes are phenoms. Then there’s Alex Ferreira. At 31, Ferreira had been a professional halfpipe skier for more than a decade, including at three Olympics. The ski TikToker landed on plenty of podiums, but he never has won an Olympic gold medal. After two runs at the freestyle halfpipe ski run, that didn’t seem likely to change – he was in fifth place and ready for the double cork 1260 in the sky (or, like, the exhibition circuit). But the halfpipe just takes your best run, and Ferreira came out for his third and laid out exactly that – a beauty – in the final run of his final Olympics to take gold. Alex Ferreira FINALLY finds elusive freeski halfpipe gold | Winter Olympics 2026 | NBC Sports
How did he do it? Risk taking and technical skill, of course. But also, a mantra. “I am greatness, and this is my moment,'” he would tell himself at the top of the halfpipe before the runs. “I can feel it in my bone marrow.”
In a profile of Hotdog Hans, a legendary 85-year-old skier known for his outrageous antics on the slopes, the article explores how his carefree attitude and refusal to take life too seriously could be a lesson for Olympians feeling the immense pressure of competition. The story is told through the perspective of U.S. freestyle skier Alex Ferreira, who has created viral TikTok videos portraying the character of Hotdog Hans as his older, wilder alter ego.
Why it matters
As the Winter Olympics often bring intense scrutiny and stress for elite athletes, Hotdog Hans represents a refreshing counterpoint – a skier who has never lost his passion for the sport and ability to simply enjoy the moment, no matter his age or skill level. His example serves as a reminder that the true spirit of athletics is about more than just winning medals.
Chloe Kim
With her silver medal win in the women’s snowboarding halfpipe, the Team USA athlete became the first woman to win three consecutive medals in the event. She also became the first female snowboarder to land a cab double 1080 in an Olympic halfpipe final.
4. At the end of a trying Olympics, Mikaela Shiffrin won more than slalom gold
Mikaela Shiffrin. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images© Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
- Mikaela Shiffrin, 30, says she worked with a psychologist to “desensitize” herself to the Olympics.
- That way, she would be able to better manage the pressure of the competition.
- She said she even visited Paris two summers ago to get a feel for the Olympic atmosphere.
Story by agoh@businessinsider.com (Amanda Goh)
Mikaela Shiffrin, 30, may be a three-time Olympic gold medalist, but there was a time when just hearing the name of the Games felt overwhelming. And with 108 World Cup Victories (71 wins in the slalom).
On Friday’s episode of “Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce,” Shiffrin said getting ready for one of the biggest competitions in sports took years of work, much of it away from cameras and crowds.
“My Olympic experiences have been so wildly different. Now it’s four, and I’m really aware, right now, of all of the work that’s gone into — actually, not the medal — but the work that’s gone into showing up on race day, and being able to show up with the mentality and the skiing that I wanted to do,” Shiffrin told podcast host Kylie Kelce.
The grind continued even away from the slopes, she said, especially when it came to managing the pressure that comes with the Games.
“Even this summertime, the amount of conversations I had with my psychologist talking about all the different feelings surrounding the Olympics, and like desensitizing to the word, and imagining the vibe, imagining the colors,” Shiffrin said.
She added that she even visited Paris two summers ago to get a feel for the Olympic atmosphere and “desensitize” herself to it.
Not only that, Shiffrin has structured her life around staying physically and mentally ready at all times.
“There’s just so much life outside of the sport, but we do so much of our life, you know, it’s all geared towards the sport,” Shiffrin said, adding that she hasn’t had alcohol in two years because it tends to make her sick.
“And I’m like, I can’t afford to be sick, literally ever. So, we’re just going to not have any alcohol. Like, we’re going to drink electrolytes, man,” Shiffrin said.
It still throws her off that something she’s trained for over years can be decided in seconds.
“But you spend so much time doing all of this work and training for something, and then the moment it happens is, you know, 47 seconds, or like in the blink of an eye, and it’s just really weird,” she said.
Shiffrin is widely considered the greatest alpine ski racer of all time. She made her Olympic debut at the 2014 Sochi Games at age 18, winning her first Olympic gold in slalom and becoming the youngest athlete in history to do so.
On Wednesday, nearly a decade later, she earned another gold medal in slalom — her first Olympic victory since 2018. This isn’t the first time Shiffrin has spoken about the steps she takes to stay focused.
Speaking to WDSU News on Friday, she said she deliberately avoided social media in the lead-up to her races at the Winter Olympics.
“If I was scrolling my feed or something, I just knew I was going to come across things that would get into my brain that would be not at all conducive to the experience that my team and I came for,” Shiffrin said.
On Saturday, she told NBC Sports that she chose not to “set expectations” for herself heading into the Milan Cortina Games — a mindset she said ultimately helped her ski her best. “On race day, I felt like I skied my best skiing, and that was really my goal,” she said.
Mikaela Shiffrin returns to slopes: Where to watch US star’s next ski race
Ben Ogden and Gus Schumacher look back on a history-making Olympics
Which Olympic skiing gold medal was the most impressive? (Poll)
Olympic Gold Medalist Breezy Johnson – Search
3. Speaking of waiting a while for gold, consider Elana Meyers Taylor.
The 41-year-old bobsled mainstay was entering her fifth Games and, despite five previous medals, had never won a gold. Yet somehow in the new sport of monobob – one pilot doing everything – she finished four one-hundredths of a second faster than the 27-year-old German competitor Laura Nolte to win her first gold and become the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Games history.
Why Does Elana Meyers Taylor Use Sign Language After the End of Her Runs ?
The Heartfelt Story of Communication, Motherhood, and Her Two Deaf Sons | College Sports Network
Elana Meyers Taylor Wins Gold Medal for Her Deaf Toddler Sons. Elana Meyers Taylor’s victory at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina was a historic moment for her, as she became the oldest woman to win gold in any individual event. Her win in the women’s monobob competition, with a total time of 3:57.93, was just the beginning of her remarkable journey. Meyers Taylor’s dedication to her sport and her family is evident in her use of sign language to communicate with her sons, Nico and Noah, who are both deaf. This gesture of love and connection is a testament to her commitment to her family and her legacy in the world of bobsledding.
If Meyers Taylor’s win along wasn’t enough to tug at the heartstrings, the athlete is mom to two deaf toddlers, Noah and Nico (he also has Down syndrome), who come with her and her husband-coach Nic to many of their competitions and were present at the sliding track in Cortina. Meyers Taylor spoke with NBC’s Mike Tirico about how all the training and triumphs were for her sons, prompting an “I’m not crying, you’re crying” outpouring on social media.
“Parenting my two sons with disabilities has done everything for me,” she said, “If I win medals or lose medals, it doesn’t matter because I’m still a mom to them.” Then she added, “Hopefully when they’re older they’ll look back and realize what actually happened. I was just so happy to be able to hug them and hold them for a brief moment while everything played out.” (We can’t embed this one but check out the interview here.)
Back Story for Jaden O’Brien Notre Dame heptathlete Jadin O’Brien finishes 7th
Two summer hopefuls find their Olympic debuts on snow and ice
Jadin O’Brien is a 23-year-old American athlete from Massachusetts who has made a remarkable transition from track and field to bobsledding. Here’s a brief overview of her background ¹ ² ³:
- Early Life and Health Issues: Jadin was diagnosed with Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS), a condition that triggered obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, severe anxiety, and depression. She overcame this challenge with the help of her family, faith, and treatment.
- Track and Field Career: O’Brien was a standout athlete at the University of Notre Dame, competing in the pentathlon and heptathlon events. She won three national titles in the pentathlon, finished as national runner-up twice in the heptathlon, and became a 10-time All-American.
- Transition to Bobsledding: In August 2025, Jadin received an Instagram DM from Elana Meyers Taylor, a renowned bobsledder, inviting her to try out for the sport. Initially thinking it was a scam, O’Brien eventually replied and began training. She made the world team after just a few weeks of training and was later named to Team USA in January 2026.
- Olympic Debut: Jadin is now competing in the two-woman bobsled event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, paired with Elana Meyers Taylor. Despite being a rookie in the sport, she’s shown impressive skills and is eyeing an Olympic medal.
- Faith and Inspiration: O’Brien credits her strong Catholic faith and devotion to St. Thérèse of Lisieux for guiding her through life’s challenges. Her parents, Kevin and Leslie, have been instrumental in supporting her athletic journey and faith.
2. Alysa Liu Skates Like No One Is Watching and Reminds Us Why We Do This
Alysa Liu of the United States celebrates with the gold medal in the women’s free skate during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. James Lang-Imagn Images© James Lang-Imagn Images
We could use words to describe what Alysa Liu – barely two years ago retired because she didn’t find figure-skating pleasurable anymore – pulled off with her gold-medal skate on Thursday. But nothing compares to the contact high from just watching her pull off the most joyous figure-skating performance in modern memory.
On an Olympics stage where competitors can be uptight, dour and neurotically serious because of the pressure placed on them, Liu reminded us what events should really be all about: fun. Watch the skate here and your day will instantly become 37 percent better.
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1. Way to go Mens and Womens USA HOCKEY, both taking home the GOLD!!
U.S. men and women take home hockey gold
For the first time in more than four decades and just the third time in history, the U.S. men’s hockey team came out on top in a high-stakes gold medal game, defeating archrival Canada 2-1 in overtime on Sunday.
American Center Jack Hughes whipped a wrist shot through the legs of Canadian goaltender Jordan Binnington less than two minutes into the extra period, netting his fourth goal of the tournament and releasing a wave of joy for U.S. hockey fans.
After the game, an out of breath Hughes told reporter Kathryn Tappen “this is all about our country right now … I’m so proud to be an American today.”
Several political pundits on the right had praised Hughes’s brother Quinn for speaking about patriotism earlier in the week after he scored an overtime goal of his own, a score that sent the U.S. to a semifinal match it won easily and punched a ticket to Sunday’s clash with Canada.
Some compared comments from the Hughes brothers to those of other U.S. athletes who have criticized the political leadership in the U.S.
Trump congratulated the men’s hockey team hours after they were awarded their gold medals writing “WOW … WHAT A GAME” and “SO MUCH WINNING,” in a string of social media posts.
The president also made a FaceTime call to the team praising the players for their performance.
The men’s team victory came two days after the U.S. women’s team also defeated Canada and won gold, thanks to an overtime score by defenseman Megan Keller.
Where to start with one of the best hockey games ever played, talent-wise, and also the one with the most TV storylines? #usahockey #goldmedals #winterolympics
The U.S. Women’s Hockey Team Wins Gold By Beating Canada in OT
In one sense, the U.S. women’s hockey gold was not a surprise: The team had come in a favorite and only got hotter from there, outscoring opponents 31-1 in the six games entering the final. But in another sense, the victory over Canada on Thursday night at Santagiulia Arena was a stone-cold shocker. The U.S. was down 1-0 to its archrival with the clock coming up on two minutes and superstar goalie Aerin Frankel heading to the bench. Canada had beaten the U.S. in five of the previous seven gold-medal games they played, and it was about to be a sixth.
Then the improbable happened. Veteran captain Hilary Knight tipped in a Laila Edwards shot to tie the score with 2:04 left and send the game into OT. That led to the snapshot moment: Taylor Heise springing Megan Keller with a stretch pass that the streaking defender took before deking a Canadian defender and tucking the puck into the goal on her backhand. Narrative reversed – the U.S. now had its third gold medal and a possible sendoff of sendoffs to a possibly retiring Knight. It was just a prelude of what was to come between the two hockey powers, but it was plenty gratifying in its own right.
Laila Edwards became the first Black woman to play for the U.S. Olympic women’s hockey team, opening with a win over Czechia in Milan. Her father’s fundraiser to bring family to the Games received a $10,000 boost from NFL stars Jason and Travis Kelce, helping surpass the goal and cover travel costs. Fourteen relatives, including her 91-year-old grandmother, were there to watch her help Team USA capture gold over Canada.
Hilary Knight’s record-setting finale
Knight, captain of the U.S. women’s hockey team, secured her third Olympic gold with a dramatic game-tying goal against Canada, finishing with 15 goals and 33 points — both U.S. Olympic records. She now holds five Olympic medals, tying for second in U.S. women’s winter Olympic all-time medals. Her final Games also included a public proposal to her partner, speedskater Brittany Bowe.
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TEAM USA IS HOCKEY GOLD MEDALISTS 🥇
The United States’ first-ever gold medal win in hockey over Canada? The fact that it happened on the anniversary of the Miracle on Ice, aka the event widely regarded as the best TV moment of the 1980s? The vengeance against Canada from last year’s Four Nations tournament?
The sheer wizardry of Matt Boldy and Connor Hellebuyck and Jack Hughes ends USA’s 46-year wait? The dominance of the ascendant Hughes brothers? The fact that one of said brothers, Jack, poked the puck away from Cale Makar and then sniped the winning shot in OT after having a few teeth knocked out on a high stick near the end of regulation?
Hughes’ goal was the burst of unity and the palliative we need at this moment – not, with the Miracle on Ice, to heal a country fractured by the Cold War but to heal a country fractured by itself. (“I’m so proud to be an American today,” he said.) Plus who doesn’t love a good sports-dentistry story? “Would you trade a couple of broken teeth for a gold medal?” broadcaster Kenny Alert asked. Fortunately for America, Hughes would. Hellebuyck’s heroics end USA’s 46-year wait
And The touching tribute to the late Gaudreau brothers?
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