via Getty
YANQING, CHINA – FEBRUARY 07: Mikaela Shiffrin of Team United States reacts after not finishing her run during the Women’s Giant Slalom on day three of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at National Alpine Ski Centre on February 07, 2022 in Yanqing, China. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
via Getty
YANQING, CHINA – FEBRUARY 07: Mikaela Shiffrin of Team United States reacts after not finishing her run during the Women’s Giant Slalom on day three of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at National Alpine Ski Centre on February 07, 2022 in Yanqing, China. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
Mikaela Shiffrin entered the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 as the defending champion. However, as the Winter Olympics star came to conquer the Games once again, things did not go as planned.
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The American star skied out of the final solo event and lost her last chance to clinch the individual medal today. Shocked by the scenarios, her heartbreak was reflected in her post-match interview.
Mikaela Shiffrin weighs in on setbacks
As Mikaela started fresh for her last individual event, the women’s combined downhill, she made a strong start and finished in fifth place. One match away from her possible podium finish, Shiffrin entered the slalom event. However, to much surprise, she could not finish the race and suffered a DNF.
Her individual gold medal dream was over then and there at Beijing Winter Olympics 2022. Reacting to yet another setback, Shiffrin said, “I feel like a joke. I don’t know if anybody failed that hard with so many opportunities.”
It’s difficult to hear Mikaela Shiffrin being so hard on herself in post-race interviews. “I feel like a joke,” she said. “I don’t know if anybody failed that hard with so many opportunities.” She takes time to offer candid introspection. This has been hard but she is a champion.
— Kyle Clark (@KyleClark) February 17, 2022
While it has been an unfortunate Olympic Games for Mikaela, it certainly doesn’t take away what she’s capable of. Mikaela battled through the demise of her father, among several other challenges, and made the daring decision to compete at the biggest sporting event. Moreover, her Olympic medal quest is also not over yet.
One last contest awaits Shiffrin
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Mikaela might not have the chance to win an individual gold medal, but she is still in the competition. Shiffrin has one last match left, as she will compete in the mixed team parallel slalom competition in the upcoming days.
via Reuters
2022 Beijing Olympics – Alpine Skiing – Women’s Super-G – National Alpine Skiing Centre, Yanqing district, Beijing, China – February 11, 2022. Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States reacts after her run. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
Despite her third ‘DNF’ in Beijing, Mikaela will remain optimistic and walk into the competition with her head held high. Do you think the mixed event could be the one where she will finally bag the podium?
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While the results might not be in her favor, the courage she has shown to constantly come back and strive for redemption is worthy of all praise. Medal or not, Mikaela Shiffrin will return home a fighter and a champion.
