The shattered dream of Mikaela Shiffrin

“Today is my favorite memory.” Even though Shiffrin didn't get any precious metal on the final day, the 26-year-old was still able to gain something good from fourth place in the team event. “I've had a lot of disappointing moments in these games, today isn't one of them,” Shiffrin said. She feels “the most special, positive and optimistic feeling I’ve had in my entire time here.” Her teammates carried her through the games, said the 26-year-old. She is grateful for that.

Nevertheless, the American's Olympic dream was shattered in probably the most tragic way. Out in the slalom, out in the giant slalom, defeated in the Super G and in the downhill. When she was on course for gold in the Alpine Combined, she made a fatal mistake. More than just unusual. After all, Shiffrin has been synonymous with consistency at the top of the world in recent years. “Around 60 percent of my DNFs happened here at the Olympic Games,” she said after her combined exit. Shiffrin says goodbye with his head held high The exceptional athlete also had to contend with sad setbacks on social media. After her dramatic outbursts, Shiffrin became the victim of numerous insults and hate messages, which she publicly defended herself against. She used this to appeal to the outside world and addressed the problem of hate online. She also received encouragement from US gymnastics star Simone Biles, who also struggles with such attacks. Broken under expectations? A symbolic image. © APA/afp / DIMITAR DILKOFF

Despite the disappointing Winter Games for her, Shiffrin ultimately leaves the Chinese Olympic region with her head held high. In view of her devastating failures in her flagship disciplines, she didn't give up and tried to do something to counter the enormous expectations of the ski world. Fighting through all five individual disciplines and also pulling yourself together for the team event is a testament to greatness. The Olympic Games will still leave a scar on Shiffrin - but it will probably not prevent her from moving forward.

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The shattered dream of Mikaela Shiffrin

She traveled to Beijing as the big favorite and was one of the medal contenders in every individual discipline. A return journey without precious metal? Hardly imaginable. But for Mikaela Shiffrin, “her” Olympic Games turned into a gauntlet run – with a conciliatory conclusion.

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