In a stunning result, Michaela Shiffrin failed to successfully navigate more than a handful of turns in Wednesday’s women’s slalom and was disqualified from her second race this week at the Beijing Olympics.
Shiffrin, a two-time Olympic champion who was expected to contend for multiple gold medals at Beijing, had trouble in her run almost from the beginning with her feet and arms not in sync and the gates seeming to come at her faster than she could react.
(The New York Times, February 8, 2022)
Except that, far from “stunning,” I found this result all too predictable. Because here is what I posted at The Washington Post on Monday – after she crashed out in similar fashion from the first race in which she was favored to win gold.
Shiffrin doth protest, I’m not Biles, too much, methinks…
It might still dawn on her that her best course might be to withdraw from her remaining events. And why wouldn’t she? After all, doing so earned Biles universal sympathy and Athlete of the Year honors; ironically, for having the courage to withdraw from Olympic competition under mental pressure.
As you can probably imagine, I was promptly attacked – in mob fashion. After ignoring juvenile insults and jingoistic taunts in Shiffrin’s defense, I signed off with the following:
Do you all think it’s just a coincidence that Shiffrin spent most of her post-race comments effectively protesting, I’m not Biles…? It was all about trying not to “listen to pressure [and] expectations” the way Biles did. I wish her well.
In fact, I thought Shiffrin should go home and head straight to the office of a sports psychologist to get her head straight. Then came yesterday …
She has three more events scheduled. But it is noteworthy that she sat in the snow and sulked, for what seemed like hours on the side of the slope, while other skiers showed her how to make it down without falling flat on your ass.
I suspect Biles popped up on her left shoulder. And they were having a chat about whether it’s better (for her mental health…?) to compete in all three and risk further mental breakdown; or do as Biles did and withdraw from all except the last event, then give it her all, come what may.
Frankly, Shiffrin would be well-advised to try to emulate Biles, and hope for the best … in every respect.
Related commentaries:
Podcast: Biles crack under pressure…