Mikaela Shiffrin, widely regarded as the greatest skier of all time, has opened up about the tremendous pressure she felt leading up to the Olympics. With a record of 108 World Cup victories and successful performances in the current season, expectations were at an all-time high. Shiffrin's status made her the center of public attention, as the Olympics only come every four years, further intensifying the stakes for her.

However, conflicting narratives surround her Olympic experiences. Despite her dominating presence in slalom skiing, Shiffrin has struggled to secure Olympic medals. In Pyeongchang 2018, she finished fourth despite winning a gold medal in giant slalom, and in Beijing, she faced major setbacks by failing to finish both her slalom events as well as the giant slalom. Each of these frustrating results raised doubts not only in the minds of spectators but within Shiffrin herself, highlighting the psychological challenges elite athletes face under pressure.

As the Olympics approach, Shiffrin's reflections encapsulate the duality of being an elite athlete—success in one arena does not always translate to equal triumph on the Olympic stage. Her struggle with expectations serves as a reminder of the mental burdens athletes must navigate while competing at the highest levels, with many hoping she can finally achieve Olympic success to match her remarkable skiing career.