Mikaela Shiffrin Tearfully Details “Spiritual” Reaction to Olympics 2026 Gold Medal Win After Dad's Death

Mikaela Shiffrin’s latest milestone was bittersweet.

After securing her third gold medal with a win in slalom on Feb. 18—ending an eight-year medal drought—the athlete became emotional as she reflected on achieving the milestone six years after the unexpected death of her father Jeff Shiffrin.

“This was a moment I have dreamed about,” Mikaela told reporters through tears during a post-race press conference on Feb. 18. “I’ve also been very scared of this moment.”

“Everything in life that you do after you lose someone you love is like a new experience,” she added. “It’s like being born again, and I still have so many moments where I resist this. I don’t want to be in life without my dad.”

But despite the dread of experiencing such a special moment without her father, who died in 2020 following an accident at the family’s home, the medal also brought her closer to a sense of peace.