American athletes faced both triumphs and tribulations at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, with rising star Jordan Stolz securing a second gold medal in speed skating while figure skater Ilia Malinin and alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin grappled with the pressures of competition.
Stolz, already a champion after winning the 1000-meter race, claimed victory in the 500-meter event, setting a new Olympic record with a time of 33.77 seconds, according to Time. His coach, Bob Corby, reminded him before the race that the backstretch would be key, urging him to "burn, like you've never burned before." Stolz's performance solidified his status as a double-Olympic champion.
Meanwhile, figure skater Ilia Malinin experienced a difficult moment on the world's biggest stage, falling repeatedly during his free skate program. This experience, according to NPR News, is something many great Olympic athletes have endured. Dr. Sahen Gupta, a sports performance psychologist, noted that the experience "bears a lot of similarities to grief."
U.S. Alpine skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin continued to seek a medal, but fell short in the giant slalom. Shiffrin, who has won more World Cup races than any other skier in history, is running out of chances to medal in the 2026 Winter Games, according to NPR News.
The Olympics also highlighted broader themes, such as the psychological challenges faced by athletes. NPR News reported that Malinin's struggles exemplified the phenomenon of "the yips," which can be a painful journey for athletes.
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