UPDATE: Italian ski champion Federica Brignone is grappling with uncertainty over her Olympic future as she continues rehabilitation from serious leg injuries. With less than four months until the Milan-Cortina Games, the clock is ticking for Brignone, who suffered multiple fractures and a torn ACL in a crash during the Italian Championships this past April.
Brignone, the current World Cup champion, shattered dreams of a triumphant Olympic performance after a fall that came at the end of her best season yet. She secured the overall World Cup title, along with the giant slalom and downhill crystal globes, only to be sidelined by this devastating injury. “I don’t think I’ll be able to get back to exactly how I was before,” she revealed during a media day organized by the Italian winter sports federation.
The 35-year-old athlete is currently facing an uphill battle. “Since I hurt myself, I have not had precise dates,” Brignone stated. “It’s very complicated to be able to give those. I am working week by week. Certainly, I’m getting better, certainly I’m working hard.” Currently, she dedicates around seven hours each day to physiotherapy, yet she admits she is not ready to hit the slopes, stating, “I don’t know when I’ll be back on the slopes, certainly not November.”
As the February 2026 Olympics approach, Brignone’s participation remains in flux. “Honestly, until I put my skis back on, I don’t know if I’ll be able to ski at the Olympics,” she said. With a strong team behind her, she acknowledges that if another athlete deserves the spot more than she does, they should take it.
Despite the challenges, Brignone remains optimistic. “Obviously I’m confident, otherwise I wouldn’t be doing everything that I’m doing,” she emphasized. Her positive spirit shone through as she expressed gratitude for her career: “It’s not these Olympics that will change my life, change my career. I’ve done what I’ve done and achieved much more than I could have ever dreamed of.”
Brignone’s commitment to recovery is a testament to her resilience. “I also need this positive energy to heal and return to normal life,” she said. The athlete’s journey is not just about Olympic glory; it’s about overcoming adversity and finding strength in challenging times.
As fans and fellow competitors await updates, Brignone’s story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the human spirit’s ability to rise above hardships. All eyes will remain on her as she navigates this difficult period, hoping for a miraculous recovery ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
