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The world is gripped by sorrow as the conflict between Hamas and Israel has taken countless innocent lives. In retaliation, Israel has declared war, resulting in thousands of casualties in the Gaza Strip. The situation is dire on both sides. Hence, demanding global solidarity amidst the chaos. Mikaela Shiffrin, renowned for her advocacy of mental health, and with 88 World Cup victories, broke her silence to express support for the victims.
Shiffrin, who faced personal trials like losing her father and battling health issues, made a triumphant return this year. Amid the horrors of Israel and Gaza, social media is flooded with images of devastation. In response, Shiffrin shared another poignant message on her social media account, acknowledging the magnitude of the tragic circumstances.
Mikaela Shiffrin’s silence breaking the internet
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A few days ago, Shiffrin touched on a different topic. The athlete expressed her perspective in the form of bold words on International Mental Health Day. The day before Mental Health Day, she shared her emotional state with a cryptic caption on her Instagram handle. On October 16, 2023, she returned to her handle, reposting a post from The New York Times.
The caption accompanying the post reads, “A comparison with the toll of past conflicts indicates the enormous scale of the Israeli retaliation for the attacks led by Hamas last Saturday on the deadliest day in Israel’s history.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s commitment to act decisively is highlighted.
The post delves into the death toll, revealing the magnitude of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, comparing the numbers from 2013 to 2023. It underscores the alarming statistic that more Palestinians have died in 2023 than in 2014, a year that witnessed over 2,000 deaths in a 50-day war. Shiffrin shared this post on her story, accompanied by two heartbroken emojis, reflecting her emotional response to the stark numbers and data of 2023.
The Odyssey of a Skiing Legend
Alpine skiing was more than a sport for Shiffrin; it was a family-supported journey from passion to profession. Her father, an anesthesiologist, became famous for capturing her moments at the finish line. The loss of her father in early 2020 created an immense void in the Shiffrin family’s life. Shiffrin openly admitted to experiencing panic attacks, particularly on days when she felt she wasn’t meeting expectations, be it external or self-imposed. In the wake of her father’s passing, returning to skiing brought challenges.
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Being the youngest Olympic women’s slalom champion in history brought its own set of pressures. Shiffrin’s return to skiing, marked by the shadow of her father’s passing, was challenging. The 2022 Winter Olympics saw three of Shiffrin’s races disqualified, including her hallmark slalom event where cameras zoomed in on her struggles.
Despite the setbacks, Shiffrin reflects on the judgments people make without truly understanding her journey, including the loss of her father, a crucial pillar of support. In essence, coming back to conflict, the world awaits peace from the ongoing heart-wrenching loss of lives.
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