Simone Biles and Mikaela Shiffrin Open Up on Olympic Challenges

Although they compete in entirely different disciplines, Simone Biles and Mikaela Shiffrin share a rare understanding of what it means to struggle on the world’s biggest sporting stage.

Biles recently appeared as a guest on Shiffrin’s podcast What’s the Point, released on Friday, where the two elite athletes reflected on their highly publicised Olympic difficulties and how those moments connected them long before they met in person. While they didn’t cross paths until the Paris Olympics in 2024, Shiffrin had reached out years earlier to offer encouragement after Biles’ experience at the Tokyo Games.

During those Games, Biles developed the “twisties,” a disorienting condition that left her unable to sense her body’s position while airborne. As a result, she withdrew from the team final and stepped away from four individual events, eventually returning to compete in the balance beam final, where she earned a bronze medal.

Shiffrin described being deeply moved by how Biles handled that moment. She praised the gymnast for remaining present and supportive despite being unable to compete fully herself, saying it showed immense strength and leadership. Shiffrin added that Biles’ approach helped reshape how athletes and fans view vulnerability and perseverance at the elite level.

Only months later, the roles were reversed. At the Beijing Winter Olympics, Shiffrin — known for her remarkable consistency — endured a shockingly difficult Games. She recorded did-not-finish results in the slalom, giant slalom and alpine combined events, an outcome few could have predicted.

Watching from afar, Biles said the experience was heartbreaking. She recalled recognising the emotional weight Shiffrin was carrying, noting how familiar it felt after what she herself had gone through in Tokyo. Seeing someone who had supported her now face similar adversity struck a deeply personal chord.

That shared understanding made Biles’ triumphant return in Paris all the more meaningful for Shiffrin. At the 2024 Games, Biles delivered a dominant performance, capturing three gold medals and one silver. In doing so, she became the first woman since 1968 to claim a second Olympic all-around title.

Shiffrin said that when she finally met Biles in Paris — alongside Biles’ mother and sister — the gymnast radiated a sense of freedom and peace. That energy, she explained, was contagious and helped lift her own spirits.

Throughout the hour-long conversation, the two discussed the contrasts between skiing and gymnastics while recognising how similar the pressures and expectations can be at the highest level. Both athletes have reached historic heights in their sports. Biles is the most decorated gymnast of all time, across both men’s and women’s competition, with seven Olympic gold medals. Shiffrin holds the record for most World Cup victories by any alpine skier and has already claimed two Olympic golds across her first three Games.

Each has been labelled the greatest of all time, a title neither fully embraces despite acknowledging the achievements behind it. Biles explained that while statistics and records exist on paper, she views them as part of a broader legacy shaped by those who came before.

She said her focus has never been on medal counts or accolades, but rather on the effort, dedication, and impact she has had on her sport. Biles added that she hopes Shiffrin recognises the same influence in her own career — not just through results, but through how she has pushed boundaries and redefined excellence.

Shiffrin, Vonn, Kim and Diggins headline USA’s star-packed ski and snowboard team for Milano Cortina 2026

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has officially unveiled its team for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, confirming a powerful and experienced squad that blends legendary champions with rising stars.

The governing body announced the selection of 97 athletes across skiing and snowboarding disciplines on Thursday, January 22, ahead of the full United States Olympic delegation reveal scheduled for January 26. The roster includes an impressive 49 returning Olympians, underlining the depth of experience within the American contingent as it prepares for competition in Italy.

Leading the alpine skiing team is one of the most iconic figures in winter sports history, Mikaela Shiffrin. The two-time Olympic gold medallist will compete at her fourth Olympic Winter Games, already established as the most decorated alpine skier of all time. At 30 years old, Shiffrin remains a central figure for Team USA and will be aiming to add to the gold medals she captured at Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018.

Shiffrin’s presence provides continuity and leadership, particularly for a squad that includes both seasoned competitors and younger athletes experiencing their first Olympic Games. Her consistency, versatility across disciplines, and unmatched World Cup record make her one of the United States’ strongest medal hopes once again.

Another major headline is the return of Lindsey Vonn, who will compete at her fifth Olympic Winter Games. Vonn’s selection marks a remarkable comeback, coming six years after her last Olympic appearance at PyeongChang 2018. The downhill specialist will return to the Olympic stage at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre, where she will look to build on her Olympic medal haul of one gold and two bronze medals.

Vonn’s inclusion adds not only star power but also invaluable experience to the team. Few athletes in winter sports history have matched her longevity or impact, and her return has been widely celebrated across the skiing world.

In snowboarding, two-time Olympic champion Chloe Kim has been named to the squad as she pursues a historic third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the women’s halfpipe. Kim, already regarded as one of the greatest halfpipe snowboarders ever, is aiming to achieve a rare Olympic three-peat.

Despite suffering a shoulder injury just weeks before the Games, Kim has publicly reassured fans that she expects to be fully fit in time for competition. Her confidence and track record make her one of Team USA’s most anticipated performers heading into Milano Cortina.

While Kim prepares for her third Olympics, notable omissions have also drawn attention. Two-time Olympic slopestyle gold medallist Jamie Anderson has not been selected for the U.S. snowboard team, marking a significant change from previous Olympic cycles.

Cross-country skiing will see an emotional chapter unfold, as Jessie Diggins prepares for what is expected to be her final Olympic appearance. Diggins, the most decorated cross-country skier in U.S. history, will compete at her fourth Olympic Winter Games before retiring at the end of the season.

The three-time Olympic medallist enters Milano Cortina in outstanding form, having recently secured her third Tour de Ski title. Her leadership and competitive edge will be central to the U.S. cross-country team, particularly as she closes out a historic career.

Beyond the headline names, the squad features a deep pool of elite talent across freestyle skiing, snowboard disciplines, ski jumping, and Nordic combined. Among those selected are three-time Olympic freestyle skiing medallist Nick Goepper, slopestyle Olympic champion Red Gerard, and double halfpipe Olympic medallist Alex Ferreira.

Their inclusion highlights the United States’ continued strength in action sports disciplines, where American athletes have consistently challenged for medals at the Olympic level.

Below is the complete U.S. Ski & Snowboard roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026:

Alpine Skiing

Women:
Mary Bocock
Keely Cashman
Katie Hensien
AJ Hurt
Breezy Johnson
Paula Moltzan
Nina O’Brien
Mikaela Shiffrin
Lindsey Vonn
Jacqueline Wiles
Isabella Wright

Men:
Bryce Bennett
Ryan Cochran-Siegle
Sam Morse
Kyle Negomir
River Radamus
Ryder Sarchett

Cross-Country Skiing

Women:
Rosie Brennan
Jessie Diggins
Lauren Jortberg
Kendall Kramer
Julia Kern
Novie McCabe
Samantha Smith
Hailey Swirbul

Men:
John Steel Hagenbuch
Zak Ketterson
Zanden McMullen
Ben Ogden
James Schoonmaker
Gus Schumacher
Hunter Wonders
Jack Young

Freestyle Skiing

Halfpipe – Women:
Kate Gray
Svea Irving
Riley Jacobs
Abby Winterberger

Halfpipe – Men:
Alex Ferreira
Nick Goepper
Hunter Hess
Birk Irving

Slopestyle & Big Air – Women:
Marin Hamill
Rell Harwood
Grace Henderson
Avery Krumme

Slopestyle & Big Air – Men:
Mac Forehand
Alex Hall
Troy Podmilsak
Konnor Ralph

Aerials – Women:
Kyra Dossa
Kaila Kuhn
Tasia Tanner
Winter Vinecki

Aerials – Men:
Connor Curran
Quinn Dehlinger
Derek Krueger
Chris Lillis

Moguls – Women:
Olivia Giaccio
Tess Johnson
Jaelin Kauf
Elizabeth Lemley

Moguls – Men:
Charlie Mickel
Nick Page
Dylan Walczyk
Landon Wendler

Nordic Combined

Men:
Ben Loomis
Niklas Malacinski

Ski Jumping

Women:
Annika Belshaw
Josie Johnson
Paige Jones

Men:
Kevin Bickner
Jason Colby
Tate Frantz

Snowboarding

Halfpipe – Women:
Bea Kim
Chloe Kim
Maddie Mastro
Maddy Schaffrick

Halfpipe – Men:
Alessandro Barbieri
Chase Blackwell
Chase Josey
Jake Pates

Parallel Giant Slalom:
Women – Iris Pflum
Men – Cody Winters

Slopestyle – Women:
Lily Dhawornvej
Hahna Norman
Jess Perlmutter

Slopestyle – Men:
Jake Canter
Sean FitzSimons
Red Gerard
Ollie Martin

Snowboard Cross – Women:
Stacy Gaskill
Hanna Percy
Brianna Schnorrbusch
Faye Thelen

Snowboard Cross – Men:
Nick Baumgartner
Nathan Pare
Jake Vedder
Cody Winters

While the athletes have been named by U.S. Ski & Snowboard, final participation in the Olympic Winter Games remains subject to formal confirmation by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. As with all Olympic delegations, National Olympic Committees retain exclusive authority over the official representation of their countries at the Games.

With a blend of Olympic legends, defending champions, and emerging talents, Team USA heads to Milano Cortina 2026 with strong medal ambitions across multiple disciplines. As the Games draw closer, attention will turn to preparations, form, and fitness—but on paper, the United States has assembled one of its most formidable winter sports teams to date.