CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – As the countdown to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games begins, the world is watching one athlete with more intensity than any other: Mikaela Shiffrin. In an exclusive sitting with USA TODAY Sports veteran journalist Nancy Armour, the most decorated alpine skier in history pulled back the curtain on the mental shift guiding her toward her fourth Olympic appearance.
After a career defined by unprecedented records and a recent milestone of 100 World Cup victories, Shiffrin isn’t just racing against the clock anymore; she’s racing for a sense of internal peace.
Moving Beyond the Beijing Shadow
For many, the narrative of Shiffrin’s Olympic journey remains tethered to the 2022 Beijing Games, where the expected medal haul turned into a series of surprising “Did Not Finish” (DNF) results. However, Shiffrin is making it clear that she is no longer haunted by the past.
“I don’t want Beijing to be the reason that I’m scared of the Olympics,” Shiffrin told Armour. The American star has been remarkably transparent about her work with a sports psychologist to navigate the intrusive thoughts and the pressure that come with being the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) of alpine skiing. Her new philosophy is a proactive one: “The attitude I would like to bring is that the Olympics are not happening to me; I am happening to them.”
The Comfort of Familiar Slopes
Unlike the previous three Olympic venues in Sochi, PyeongChang, and Beijing—where the snow conditions and courses were largely unknown quantities—the 2026 Winter Olympics will take place on “home turf” for the World Cup circuit. Cortina d’Ampezzo is a beloved stop where Shiffrin has historically dominated, including a four-medal haul at the 2021 World Championships.
This familiarity is a cornerstone of her preparation. Shiffrin noted that the comfort of knowing the terrain allows her to focus less on the variables of the mountain and more on the “gas pedal” of her own performance. While she skied in all six disciplines in Beijing, she hinted to Armour that her 2026 Olympic program will likely be more streamlined—focusing on three high-probability events to manage her emotional and physical energy.
A Legacy of Ambition
Mikaela Shiffrin’s journey to Milan-Cortina is about more than just adding to her three Olympic medals. It is a masterclass in resilience. Heading into 2026, Shiffrin has already cemented her status as the winningest skier ever, surpassing Ingemar Stenmark’s legendary record. Yet, she remains driven by a “youthful, 6-year-old feeling” that returns every time she clicks into her skis.
By openly discussing her vulnerability and her “risk-averse” nature off the slopes, Shiffrin is humanizing a legendary career. Her message to the next generation of Team USA athletes is clear: admit to your ambitions and don’t apologize for them. As she prepares for February 2026, Shiffrin is no longer trying to meet the world’s expectations—she is finally skiing for herself.