Shiffrin reacts to people who 'have so much apparent hatred'
BEIJING (AP), -- Shortly after Mikaela Shifrin had skied off-course in the Beijing Olympics for the third time, she wondered aloud what kind of vitriol might have been directed at her.
After failing to complete the slalom run in the two-leg Alpine combination, the two-time gold medalist at other Winter Games stated that "there's going to be an entire chaotic mess...that people are saying about me just fantastically failing these last few weeks in the moments that actually mattered." It's strange, but it's not something I fear right now. Perhaps it's because I don't have any emotional energy to give." Hours later, the 26 year-old American posted what appeared to be a collection of comments on Twitter in response to Thursday's fall.
Shiffrin then followed up with a tweet about "the people who have so many apparent hate."
Her second post was written in all capital letters. It said: "Let turkeys get your down." There will always be turkeys. Or get up, again. Again. Again. Again. Again. Again. Again."
She said, "Just get up. Although it is not always easy, it is not impossible. Fail twice. Fail five times. At the Olympics. (Enter me ...)."
Shiffrin was one of the most prominent stars at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
At 18 years old, she won the slalom at Sochi Olympics 2014. She then added a second gold in the giant and combined at Pyeongchang Olympics 2018.
Shiffrin is also the holder of six gold medals at the world championships and three overall World Cup titles. He is currently leading the standings.
Paul Kristofic, the head coach of the U.S. ski team women's team, stated that pressure and expectation are difficult things. She feels it and it weighs her down.
Shiffrin's best finish at the 2022 Games was a ninth place in the super-G, and an 18th in downhill.
Shiffrin's "Did not Finish" result in the giant ski slalom was her first ever in that event in over four years. She also had "DNFs in the combined and slalom." This team event was added to the Olympics four year ago and will close the Alpine schedule.
Her second tweet included a mention of some her U.S. teammates, River Radamus and Paula Moltzan, and concluded with: "If your playing the side of hater today, ignore me, but definitely watch out for them!"
