“You should remember how much of a huge inspiration you are for all of us,” Iga Swiatek sends a heartfelt message to Mikaela Shiffrin

“You should remember how much of a huge inspiration you are for all of us,” Iga Swiatek sends a heartfelt message to Mikaela Shiffrin

Iga Swiatek and Mikaela Shiffrin

Iga Swiatek sent a heartfelt message to American Skier Mikaela Shiffrin and gave some encouraging words to the two-time Olympic champion who had a disappointing performance at the ongoing Beijing Winter Olympics.

Shiffrin is considered one of the best skiers and holds the record of most World Cup slalom wins-47. She has been the flagbearer of the US alpine skiing scene since Linsey Vonn’s retirement in 2019 and was the favorite to at least bag a podium at all the events she competed in. The American is a 3-time Olympic medallist, but couldn’t add another to her tally as she finished outside the podium places in all the five individual events she entered.

Shiffrin was the defending champion in the Giant Slalom, her signature event she had sure shot at medalling. But to everyone’s surprise, she missed the gate and couldn’t finish her run. The two-time Olympic champion’s woes continued in the next events as well as she couldn’t qualify for the finals of slalom and finished 9th in the women’s super-G, but she salvaged a 5th place finish in the Downhill. Following this Shiffrin faced a lot of criticism and received hate messages on social media. Several sports stars came in support of Shiffrin, including Simone Biles and Lindsey Vonn.

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“I really hope you’re going to keep going“- Swiatek offers support to Shiffrin amid her Olympic struggles

Mikaela Shiffrin
Mikaela Shiffrin

Swiatek sent a message to Shiffrin offered solace to the former Olympic champion and said she has been an inspiration to her and would love to meet her someday. The Pole also said this Olympics has been a tough one for Shiffrin but encouraged the American to ‘keep going’ despite recent setbacks.

“I know these must be tough moments for you, but really you should remember how much of a huge inspiration you are for all of us, not only as an athlete but as a person. Basically, these are not just empty words, because you know that and I know that you also inspired me,” Swiatek said in a video message via Eurosport.

“I’m pretty grateful to have an opportunity to chat with you and to talk to you, and to maybe meet you someday when COVID is going to be gone. So I really hope you’re going to keep going and keep being as strong as you are because you’re doing great,” she added.

There’s still a glimmer of hope left for Shriffin to win a medal when she goes out to ski in the mixed team event on Saturday.

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