Mikaela Shiffrin won an Olympic gold medal in the slalom on Sunday – her first in eight years.
But the journey was not easy for the 30-year-old American skier as it was marred by setbacks and personal heartache.
It’s fair to say that the victory was deeply personal for Shiffrin, as it was her first major win since her father passed away six years ago.
Mikaela Shiffrin was filled with emotion as the skier won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics after her father’s death: “This was a moment I dreamed of.”
After her win, Shiffrin shared her heartfelt message about her win on Instagram.
She said, “I won! I got there despite the fear and the adrenaline and the potential for criticism and backlash from people who know nothing and don’t even try to understand. I won!”
When it comes to discussing Mikaela Shiffrin’s spectacular career, it’s impossible not to mention the influence of her late father, Jeff Shiffrin. Her victory was not merely individual. In fact, it is part of a carefully nurtured family ecosystem.
As a physician and former collegiate skier, Jeff integrated skiing into the fabric of family life. This “ski household” provided the technical foundation and emotional discipline that pushed Mikaela Shiffrin to the top of the sport.
Sadly, Shiffrin’s father passed away suddenly in February 2020. Such an irreparable loss not only pushed her into the grieving stage, but also became a transformative moment of reflection, ultimately helping her celebrate the golden triumph at the 2026 Olympic Games.
“Several times this week I’ve questioned everything I’ve learned in life. I’ve questioned what kind of grit I have in my heart and I’ve wondered if I should even be doing this. I’ve questioned my toughness and tenacity. I’ve questioned everything. And then I left those questions behind and stepped into the arena anyway,” she said.
“I won,” Shiffrin added.
