Mikaela Shiffrin won Olympic slalom gold on Wednesday afternoon in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, becoming the first Alpine skier to win golds 12 years apart.
What happened?
Mikaela Shiffrin's victory marked her fourth Olympic medal and third gold, with her first gold in eight years.
She overcame a stunning performance in Beijing, where she failed to complete her first runs in slalom and giant slalom.
Why it matters for Mikaela Shiffrin
Mikaela Shiffrin's story was re-written as a tale of struggle and failure against expectation and pressure.
She said, "I have an ever-evolving relationship with expectations."
What comes next?
Mikaela Shiffrin arrived in Cortina with 108 World Cup victories, 23 more than any other skier, and a preposterous 71 wins in slalom.
She was the youngest U.S. Alpine ski racer to win a gold medal at 18 years old and is now the oldest at 30.
Mikaela Shiffrin's father, Jeff Shiffrin, died in an accident in Colorado in 2020, which affected her performance.
She slowly came back from an injury a year ago and was just a medal contender in the giant slalom.
Mikaela Shiffrin skied a shockingly slow slalom in the two-person combined event and finished 4th with downhill winner Breezy Johnson.
She was 11th in the giant slalom, but her slalom victory marked a significant comeback.
Mikaela Shiffrin's victory was a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport.
She became the most decorated American skier, with four Olympic medals.
Mikaela Shiffrin's story is one of love and loss, about grief and absence, and about a change so big that it can't be defeated.
She drifted slowly and then fell to her knees and dropped her head toward the snow after her victory.
Mikaela Shiffrin's relationship with expectations is ever-evolving, and she continues to push herself to be the best.
As of February 2024, Mikaela Shiffrin has 108 World Cup victories and 71 wins in slalom.