Margie Freed has embarked on a remarkable journey as part of Team USA, aiming to secure the country’s first Olympic medal in biathlon. The competition commenced in Italy on February 4, 2024, with the mixed relay event, where Freed and her teammates are set to showcase their skills on an international stage.
Freed’s path to the Olympics has been fueled by a passion for sport and a desire to have fun. An alumna of Eastview High School, she first gained recognition in cross-country skiing, clinching an individual Nordic state title in 2016. Her initial foray into skiing was motivated largely by social connections. “I joined because my friends were doing it,” she reflected. Her early success was evident when she reached the state meet as an eighth grader, a milestone she recognized as a sign of her potential.
A memorable encounter at an event at the Mall of America, where she met skiing stars Jessie Diggins and Kikkan Randall, left a lasting impression on Freed. At the time, she was not deeply invested in the sport but took a photo with Diggins simply because “everyone else was doing it.” Today, she treasures that moment as a reminder of her journey to becoming an Olympian.
Freed’s aspirations have evolved significantly since her early days in the sport. “My dream would be for it to be in a relay,” she expressed, hoping to share the excitement with her teammates. This sentiment captures her positive approach to competition, which is rooted in camaraderie rather than solely in achievement.
The momentum of her efforts is reflected in her recent performance, where she contributed to a US relay team that finished fourth at a World Cup mixed relay race just two weeks prior. This performance tied the country’s best finish in a World Cup event since 2015, underscoring Freed’s potential on the international stage.
Transitioning to biathlon from her background in skiing presented unique challenges for Freed, particularly in mastering the shooting component of the sport. “I had never even shot a gun before,” she admitted, highlighting her initial unfamiliarity with the discipline. Despite the steep learning curve, Freed embraced the challenge, viewing it as an opportunity to grow. “Picking up a new sport has been a good learning process,” she noted, revealing her commitment to maintaining a joyful perspective throughout her training.
As Freed prepares for the Olympic events, the dynamics of her training have changed, especially as many of her original friends in skiing have retired. Yet, she finds support from those close to her and engages in various hobbies outside of biathlon, including sewing, line dancing, and birding. These activities help her retain a sense of joy and balance in her life, which she considers essential to her success.
Throughout her athletic career, Freed has balanced her training in skiing with participation in various sports, including cross-country and track, as well as club soccer. This versatility has played a crucial role in keeping her injury-free and fostering her enthusiasm for each practice. “I credit a lot of my success to the instillation of fun in the sport,” she emphasized, a principle she intends to uphold even under the pressure of Olympic competition.
As the biathlon events unfold in Italy, Margie Freed represents not just her athletic talent but also a spirit of joy and camaraderie in sports. With aspirations of helping Team USA earn its first Olympic medal in biathlon, she embodies the essence of competition as a shared experience. Her journey is a testament to the power of passion and friendship in achieving athletic dreams.
