Why did Olympic favorites like Mikaela Shiffrin and Ilia Malinin struggle?

Both Shiffrin and Malinin faltered under the immense pressure of being favorites at the Milan Cortina Games, with Malinin citing a mental flood of past traumas and Shiffrin delivering an uncharacteristic performance.

What mental strategy did Michael Phelps use to succeed?

Michael Phelps famously employed a mental strategy of thinking 'nothing' during races to block out nerves and achieve peak performance.

How did Mikaela Shiffrin perform in the team combined event?

Mikaela Shiffrin's performance in the team combined event was her worst since 2012, impacting the team's medal chances.

Home / Sports / Olympics Pressure: Stars Crumble Under Weight of Favorites

Olympics Pressure: Stars Crumble Under Weight of Favorites

14 Feb

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Summary

Olympic favorites Mikaela Shiffrin and Ilia Malinin struggled under pressure.
Malinin cited traumatic life moments flooding his head during competition.
Shiffrin's performance in the team combined event was her worst since 2012.

Olympics Pressure: Stars Crumble Under Weight of Favorites

The Milan Cortina Games have seen prominent athletes like Mikaela Shiffrin and Ilia Malinin falter under the immense pressure of being favorites. This phenomenon contrasts sharply with Michael Phelps's mental strategy of thinking 'nothing' to achieve peak performance.

Malinin, the figure skating favorite, experienced a performance breakdown, citing a rush of traumatic memories. Shiffrin, an alpine skiing record-holder, also delivered an uncharacteristic finish in the team combined event, her worst since 2012.

These high-profile stumbles underscore the intense psychological challenges faced by Olympians. Individual sports offer no teammates for support, amplifying the impact of momentary lapses under extreme scrutiny.

Shiffrin has openly discussed the vulnerability and potential for misjudgment that comes with competing on the world stage. Despite past Olympic struggles, she remains motivated, highlighting the importance of understanding and support for athletes.

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