At a Glance
- Jessie Diggins, the 34-year-old cross-country skier, is set to compete in her fourth Olympics before retiring.
- She will be backed by a growing roster of U.S. teammates and aims to add a fourth Olympic medal.
- Outside racing, Diggins is focused on advocacy for climate action and eating-disorder treatment.
- Why it matters: Her final Games mark the end of a historic American career and a shift toward broader social causes.
Jessie Diggins is gearing up for what will likely be her last Olympic performance in Milan Cortina, even as she plans a well-deserved break after the season. The Minnesota native, who has earned a gold, silver, and bronze in past Games, says she is excited for a weekend off after a grueling training schedule in Livigno, Italy.
Retirement and Final Olympic Push
The 34-year-old announced she will retire at the end of the season, a decision that has spurred a wave of support from friends and family who are traveling to the Winter Games to watch her compete. She has expressed enthusiasm about finally having a weekend that is “actually mine” after years of constant travel and competition.
Diggins is entering her fourth Olympics as the top challenger to the traditionally dominant Nordic skiers. With a gold, silver, and bronze already on her résumé, she is a strong favorite to add another medal to her collection in Milan Cortina. On the World Cup circuit this year, clusters of U.S. teammates have gathered to cheer her on, a presence that has coincided with her retaining the lead in the overall women’s standings.
She recently won her third overall Tour de Ski title in northern Italy, a victory that earned her praise for the love and support she received from athletes across sports. “It was so cool – just feeling so much love across different sports,” she said.
Career Highlights and Current Form
Just before the Olympics, Diggins returned to the podium at the final World Cup meet in Goms, Switzerland, finishing second in the 20-kilometer classic, just 0.9 seconds behind Finland’s Johanna Matintalo. This result underscores her continued competitiveness as she heads into Milan Cortina.
Her career began in Afton, outside Minneapolis, where she tried a variety of sports, from skating to gymnastics. An early fascination with speed developed when her father, an outdoorsy Canadian, installed a zip line behind their house. She also raced in swim meets along Lake Superior during the summer.
Skiing started at age 11, and she quickly outperformed boys in her age group. She jumped age categories and advanced from state to national championships, setting an express path to the Olympics. By 2018, she was part of a historic breakthrough, teaming with Kikkan Randall in the sprint to claim the first-and still only-U.S. Olympic gold in cross-country skiing. After adding silver and bronze in 2022, she will compete at Milan Cortina as part of a powerhouse group of American women that includes Alpine skiers Mikaela Shiffrin, Lindsey Vonn, and snowboarder Chloe Kim.
Diggins is a dual citizen and openly roots for Canada, saying she feels proud of her Canadian citizenship. “I absolutely do,” she told the AP. “I kind of see it as team North America. And I am really, really proud of my Canadian citizenship. So many of my family lives up there, and both my parents were born there. I feel so proud to have half of my heart there.”
Personal Roots and Advocacy
Her career has flourished, but Diggins has also devoted herself to causes that mirror personal struggles. She advocates for climate action as snowfall declines because of climate change and pushes for better access to treatment for people with severe eating disorders. “It makes every race so much more meaningful knowing that I’m trying to advocate for a better future,” she said.
The athlete has also spoken about the stress she felt following headlines about the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, where two people were fatally shot by federal immigration agents. “It’s been devastating following the news of what has been happening in Minnesota right now, and it’s really hard feeling like I can do nothing about it,” she wrote in an online post.
Preparing for Milan Cortina
With 100 days out from the Games, Diggins is focusing on both physical preparation and mental readiness. Her training base in Livigno, Italy, has become a sanctuary where she can concentrate on technique and strategy. She has also continued her trademark glitter face paint ritual, a playful element that has been adopted by younger American skiers.
After each finish, she often celebrates with a half-dance on the podium, a gesture that highlights her joy and gratitude. She publicly thanks wax technicians, sports psychologists, teammates, and others who have helped her succeed. “I have to say a huge thank you to the team. I felt like I had awesome skis that were super competitive every single day,” she said after her latest Tour de Ski victory. “It takes a village, and I’m really proud of my village – really grateful for them. It was so fun to feel good on this last tour. And yeah, it was just really cool.”
Key Takeaways
- Diggins is retiring after the 2026 season, making the Milan Cortina Games her final Olympic appearance.
- She is a strong medal contender with a history of podium finishes and a current lead in the World Cup overall standings.
- Outside racing, she champions climate action and eating-disorder awareness, while also navigating personal ties to Canada.
- Her training, support network, and signature celebratory rituals underscore a career that blends athletic excellence with personal passion.
As the Games approach, Diggins remains focused on delivering her best performance while also looking forward to a well-earned break and continued advocacy work.
