Quoting Billie Jean King and Nelson Mandela
Shiffrin is aware that the exposure at the Olympics is greater than during the World Cup season, but she is happy to accept the pressure that comes with it.
“The Olympics give us the chance to showcase ourselves and our sport to the world. And so whether you’re watching once every four years or every single weekend on the World Cup, to have the chance to make that connection at all, I think is a gift,” she said.
“And I really choose to believe that’s a beautiful gift, Despite maybe feeling a little bit of pressure at times, I know that judgments can be made from a sole moment when so much else has gone on over the last four years or eight years or 16 years of my career.
“So pressure can exist. But like [tennis legend] Billie Jean King said, pressure is a privilege, and that doesn’t always feel that way. But right now, it really does feel like a privilege. I’m grateful for that.”
The Olympics, concluded Shiffrin, are also an opportunity to come together, reflecting on the unifying power of sport.
The U.S. skier cited the message of peace from Nelson Mandela, shared by Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron during the Opening Ceremony, and added: “I’m really hoping to show up and represent my own values, values of inclusivity, values of diversity, and kindness.
“I’m really thankful to be here and my greatest hope for this Olympic Games, from a broader perspective, is that it is a beautiful show of co-operation and of competition.”
