Mikaela Shiffrin, a prominent American skier, concluded the 2018 Winter Olympics with a silver medal in the combination event. However, she has since faced a disappointing streak, failing to secure a medal in her last eight Olympic competitions. Notably, during the recent Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Shiffrin and teammate Breezy Johnson finished fourth in the team event despite leading going into Shiffrin's slalom run, followed by an eleventh-place finish in the giant slalom event. This ongoing lack of success has left commentators and fans alike concerned about her performance under pressure.

NBC commentator Steve Porino openly shared his anxiety about Shiffrin, stating that he becomes nervous when discussing her current mental state during competitions. He pointed out that she did not appear relaxed in the team event, highlighting the growing pressures she faces as the Olympics approach. With only one more chance for a medal in slalom remaining in the 2026 Olympics, the anticipation and expectations surrounding Shiffrin’s performance are immense, particularly since she has dominated the World Cup slalom events this season, winning seven out of eight races.

Despite her outstanding World Cup performances, Porino voiced doubts about Shiffrin's status as the favorite in the upcoming Olympics, suggesting that the intense scrutiny and pressure of the Olympic stage may hinder her performance. He stressed the importance of the moment, indicating that her Olympic success could ultimately be evaluated based on her performance in this singular event rather than her consistent successes in World Cup competitions. As Shiffrin prepares for the slalom event in 2026, the stakes are higher than ever, and her readiness to face this pressure is under scrutiny.