"I have to cry": Olympic champion announces retirement

The season hasn't even started yet, and there's already an emotional scene surrounding an icon of winter sports.

20 November 2025

From: dpa/det

Olympic cross-country skiing champion Jessie Diggins has announced her retirement after the end of this season. "It will be hard for me to say goodbye to this sport and this team that I love so much. And I cry every time I think about what this sport means to me," the 34-year-old American wrote on Instagram. "But it feels right in my heart, and I'm really looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life!"

Diggins is one of the all-time greats in her sport. She won Olympic gold in the team sprint in Pyeongchang in 2018, as well as silver (30 km freestyle) and bronze (sprint freestyle) in Beijing in 2022. She also became world champion in the team sprint in 2013 and in the 10 km freestyle in 2023, in addition to five other world championship medals. Her greatest achievements also include three overall World Cup titles: in 2021, 2024, and last season.

Jessica Diggins is one of the all-time greats in her sport. © ANSA / ANTONIO BAT

The new World Cup season begins on November 28th. The highlight will be the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo from February 6th to 22nd. She will give it her all this season, right up to her last race. "Skiing has given me more joy, challenge, courage, and camaraderie than I could ever have imagined. That's why I want to take you all with me this last year," Diggins wrote.

Keywords Winter sports Cross-country skiing Jessie Diggins