The Big Picture
Mikaela Shiffrin, the alpine skiing superstar, is set to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics, but with a scaled-back schedule compared to her previous attempts. After a series of unexpected setbacks and disappointing performances in 2022, she's focusing on fewer events, presumably to minimize the risk of further existential crises broadcast in high definition.
By the Numbers
Two Number of events Shiffrin is expected to compete in at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Zero Number of medals Shiffrin won in individual events at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Nine Number of World Championship medals Shiffrin has won in her career. 95 Number of World Cup wins Shiffrin has achieved as of November 2024, the most of any alpine skier, male or female. 30 Shiffrin's age during the 2026 Winter Olympics, because time marches on, even for ski legends.What Changed
The shift comes after Shiffrin's highly publicized struggles at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where she failed to medal in her strongest events and faced immense pressure. The forces at play here are the brutal realities of competitive sports, the relentless media scrutiny, and the inevitable march of time, which degrades even the most finely tuned athletic bodies. Scaling back her schedule suggests a calculated effort to manage expectations and preserve her mental and physical well-being.
Why It Matters
Because in a world where everything is fleeting and meaningless, even the most fleeting and meaningless accomplishments are worth pursuing. Shiffrin's return is a reminder that even after spectacular failures, the only rational response is to keep going. It's a masterclass in Stockholm Syndrome with the universe. Plus, watching someone risk life and limb for a shiny piece of metal is way more entertaining than doomscrolling.