Mikaela Shiffrin has been on top of her sport for more than a decade now. Before Beijing, Shiffrin had already amassed 73 World Cup wins, and a record 47 World Cup slalom titles. And in an extreme sport like alpine skiing, one mistake can cost a lot for the athlete. Truly, Shiffrin is a role model to many.
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Every athlete has their inspirations, and the two-time Olympic champion is no different. She found her exemplar in the tennis champion, Iga Swiatek.
Mikaela Shiffrin talks about Swiatek’s influence on her
The skiing legend has been playing tennis since she was very young. Even now she makes time in her training regimen to include tennis sessions. So, when Shiffrin heard that a tennis icon like Iga Swiatek sees her as a role model, she reached out in response.
… From my perspective, the mental game is always a work in progress with ups and downs but don’t forget that’s also just a part of life. We are all human, on good days and bad, and sometimes you will feel like the world expects you to only have good days and win everything…
— Mikaela Shiffrin (@MikaelaShiffrin) February 22, 2021
Swiatek had claimed that Shiffrin inspires her on how to carry herself under the pressure of the Olympics. To this, Shiffrin tweeted, “I have learned a lot from watching your point play and composure during that match, and since then…From my perspective, the mental game is always a work in progress with ups and downs but don’t forget that’s also just a part of life.”
The two athletes have formed an unlikely friendship. They even held an almost one-hour-long Instagram live. Here, they talked about their experience with mental fortitude while managing expectations and pressure. Shiffrin, being a veteran Olympic athlete, shared anecdotes and advised the 21-year-old Polish tennis player.
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 22, 2022 Poland’s Iga Swiatek in action during her third round match against Russia’s Daria Kasatkina REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Shiffrin had a lot to praise about Swiatek’s play. In an interview with tennis.com, she said, “No matter what she feels at any given moment, Iga always has the ability to play incredible tennis.”
Shiffrin has always been a mental health advocate
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Mikaela Shiffrin has shared her experience with performance anxiety in the past, and with the passing of her father in 2020, she has not been in the best place, mental health-wise. Her stint at the Beijing Olympics was a shock to the world as she performed very far from her potential. But it drew more attention to the stigma surrounding mental health in sports.
via Reuters
Alpine Skiing – FIS Alpine Ski World Cup – Women’s Giant Slalom – Courchevel, France – March 20, 2022 Mikaela Shiffrin of the U.S. reacts after competing REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
Shiffrin has always been a spokesperson for mental health. After Pyeongchang, she supported The Child Mind Institute through the #MyYoungerSelf campaign. In 2020, she was a virtual keynote speaker for the He(art) of Vail Valley’s Youth event and addressed mental health. She also became a ‘Champion’ for Kindness Wins, a non-profit founded by Madison Keys.
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And that’s not all. Shiffrin even joined actor Patrick Dempsey for an IG Live to amplify the mental health conversation. Here, she also touched upon the loss of her father. Both Swiatek and Shiffrin are bringing the ideas of a balance between life and sports careers for athletes. Hopefully, we will see a shift in the expectations from athletes and its psychological effects on them.
