CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Federica Brignone is making waves at the Winter Olympics, having just secured her second gold medal. The moment was electrifying, especially when her competitors honored her with a bow in the finish area.
Brignone’s journey has been inspiring. Just last year, she couldn’t walk for three months after a severe leg injury. Fast forward to now, and she’s an Olympic champion, winning the giant slalom just days after claiming gold in the super-G.
In her first run, she went ahead by 0.34 seconds. In the second run, she maintained her lead under the stunning Dolomite peaks. She finished a solid 0.62 seconds ahead of defending champion Sara Hector from Sweden and Norway’s Thea Louise Stjernesund, who shared silver.
“I was almost too calm,” Brignone said after the race. “I thought I had a so-so run. When I reached the finish and saw that I was first, I just heard screams. It was crazy!”
Not everyone found the same joy, though. U.S. skier Mikaela Shiffrin, a top competitor, finished 11th after struggling with speed on the flat course. Despite her disappointment, she recognized Brignone’s skill. “That was the greatest show of GS skiing we’ve had in a really long time,” she said.
Shiffrin’s performance continues a tough Olympic streak, with no medals in her last eight events since 2018. Still, her close finish shows she’s still a force to reckon with, and she’s hopeful for her best event, slalom, coming up soon.
Brignone’s triumph is even more remarkable given her recent health struggles. After breaking multiple bones in her leg and undergoing surgery, she only returned to racing last month. “I feel pain every day,” she admitted. Yet, she pushed through the discomfort to achieve her incredible results.
The competitors’ respect for Brignone is evident. Stjernesund expressed admiration, suggesting that bowing was a way to acknowledge not just her gold medals but Brignone’s significant impact on the sport.
Before these Olympics, Brignone had a silver and two bronze medals. Now, with her two golds, she’s achieved what she once thought was a distant dream. The raucous crowd chanted her name during the medal ceremony, and Brignone couldn’t have been happier. “This is better than a dream. It’s unimaginable.”
The enthusiasm around her victories reflects a heartening trend in sports, where athletes overcome adversity to shine. With public support and recognition, Brignone not only lifts herself but inspires many.
For further context on athletic resilience and comeback stories, check out the American Psychological Association’s insights on mental toughness and recovery in sports.
