Mikaela Shiffrin says it's 'tough to reconcile' violence in world while representing USA in Olympics

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Decorated Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin wants to represent her own "values" at this year's Milan Cortina Olympic Games.

"I think there's a lot of hardship in the world globally, and there's a lot of heartbreak. There's a lot of violence. It can be tough to reconcile that when you're also competing for medals at an Olympic event," the two-time gold medalist said during her media availability in Italy on Saturday.

During her extended answer, Shiffrin read aloud a quote from Nelson Mandela, which was also recited during the opening ceremonies.

Mikaela Shiffrin speaks during a press conference during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium in Cortina d'Ampezzo on Feb. 7, 2026.  (Stefano Rellandini/AFP via Getty Images)

"'Peace is not just the absence of conflict. Peace is the creation of an environment where we can all flourish, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, class, caste, or any other social markers of difference,'" Shiffrin said, reading the quote from her phone.

"And for me, as this relates to the Olympics, I'm really hoping to show up and represent my own values. Values of inclusivity, values of diversity, and kindness, and sharing, tenacity, work ethic, showing up with my team every single day, and the values that we bring and put out on the mountain and on the hill every single day. I'm hoping to represent those who have been supporting me this entire time.

"I'm really thankful to be here, and my greatest hope for this Olympic Games, from a broader perspective, is that it is a beautiful show of cooperation and of competition."

United States' Mikaela Shiffrin