Mikaela Shiffrin shocked fans and those watching the Beijing Winter Olympics as she suffered another surprisingly early exit from a race. The two-time gold medalist in skiing missed a gate about five seconds into the course, causing her to be disqualified.
However, if we’ve learned anything the past few years, it’s to support the mental health of everyone around us, including Olympic level athletes.
And if there’s one person who understands the mental stress Shiffrin is under, it’s Simone Biles.
@MikaelaShiffrin— Simone Biles (@Simone Biles) 1644377533
Biles suffered her own setbacks during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. She ended up withdrawing from some events to focus on her mental health.
But fellow current Olympians aren’t the only ones supporting Shiffrin. Former Olympian, Lindsey Vonn, a gold medalist in skiing at the 2010 Olympic Games also tweeted out support.
Vonn, now commentating for the Games for NBC, rallied for Shiffrin.
Gutted for @MikaelaShiffrin but this does not take away from her storied career and what she can and will accomplish going forward. Keep your head high pic.twitter.com/fSgqSii0JA— lindsey vonn (@lindsey vonn) 1644374791
The support was wonderful to see.
@MikaelaShiffrin You have so much to be proud of. An inspiration for all of us, keep going— Gabby Thomas (@Gabby Thomas) 1644380509
Unity and solidarity is what we need as women and Americans! Lead by example.— car_talk_with_cookie (@car_talk_with_cookie) 1644399278
Very Nice pick— biswas_p (@biswas_p) 1644396541
To add additional context:\n\nMikaela Shiffrin was one of the most vocal members of Team USA to come to Simone Biles\u2019 defense during Tokyo-2021.\n\nIt is without question that Simone will do the same for her.pic.twitter.com/WycwbI91gX— The Medal Count (@The Medal Count) 1644378096
You\u2019re still incredible, Mikaela Shiffrin. #Olympicspic.twitter.com/7lJb2zCTJ0— Tyler Roney (@Tyler Roney) 1644373939
Shiffrin has had two early ends to her runs during this Winter Games. Two days before this incident, she crashed 11 seconds into the opening run of the giant slalom race.
After missing the gate and being disqualified from this race, Shiffrin sat on the side of the course. NBC tried to interview the athlete, who was fighting back tears.
She said:
“It makes me second-guess the last 15 years, everything I thought I knew about my own skiing and slalom and racing mentality. Just processing a lot, for sure.”
However, the mental strain she’s under is understandable. In 2020, she lost her father, just before the start of the pandemic. And just last December, she tested positive for COVID-19, sidelining her for the start of the year.
Many online were quick to call out media outlets, NBC in particular, for the continued pressure on her mental health.
NBC learned absolutely nothing from Simone Biles and now they are doing the SAME thing to Mikaela Shiffrin and it\u2019s infuriating.— Alex (@Alex) 1644374181
Me watching Mikaela Shiffrin after that run: I hope that girl isn't too hard on herself. \n\nThe Announcers: What a mistake. What a disappointment. This will live in infamy for the rest of time. \n\nWe have literally not moved the needle on mental health at all. #OlympicGames— Elina Rudkovsky (@Elina Rudkovsky) 1644373901
The cameras staying on Mikaela Shiffrin for this long after the media putting extensive pressure on her prior to the games shows they didn\u2019t learn shit from Simone Biles— David Rotenberg (@David Rotenberg) 1644374129
The media has hounded Mikaela Shiffrin about her anxiety, the death of her father, and about the pressure on her. And now they act shocked that she\u2019s human. #Olympics— Camilla (@Camilla) 1644373901
nbc talking about all the pressure being put on mikaela shiffrinpic.twitter.com/okccdgHpVo— Sam Nowaczewski (@Sam Nowaczewski) 1644374079
Nothing but love for her Shame on NBC for keeping the camera on her for so long and for the unnecessary comments.— Sarah Mack (@Sarah Mack) 1644377878
Shiffrin will have another chance to get her third gold medal in the super-G competition on Friday, a faster downhill race compared to the more technical races Shiffrin has been in so far. Whether or not she chooses to compete remains to be seen.
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