Hailey Swirbul (L) quickly came to Jessie Diggins (R) side after she collapsed at the finish line (Image: Getty Images)
Jessie Diggins gave everything at Milan-Cortina in pursuit of a medal. The Team USA star took part in the women’s cross-country skiing 10km race just days after suffering a rib injury during her opening event. Consequently, the 34-year-old wasn’t simply racing against fellow Winter Olympic competitors, but battling her own body to determine how long she could endure the discomfort.
And upon crossing the finish line, it seemed the pain had become overwhelming. As Diggins reached the line, she collapsed to the ground, gasping in distress for several moments. Beside her was teammate Hailey Swirbul, who rushed to Diggins’ assistance as she fell onto the snow at the finish line.
Eventually, Diggins regained her footing, and it was at that point that she discovered she had secured a bronze medal in her final Olympics. Diggins completed the course in 23 minutes, 38.9 seconds, whilst Sweden’s Frida Karlsson claimed gold with a time of 22:49.2, 46.6 seconds ahead of Ebba Andersson, who took silver.
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The 34-year-old finished 49.7 seconds behind Karlsson’s time to add another medal to her tally. Despite the dramatic nature of her finish, Diggins’ determination enabled her to extend her record for the most Olympic medals in United States cross-country skiing history with four in total.
She also became the first American woman to claim a medal in the Winter Olympics women’s 10km, once more cementing her position amongst the sport’s elite.
Following the race, Diggins discussed the crucial role her team-mates played in enabling her to persevere, as well as her expectations for the competition, particularly after sustaining the previously mentioned rib injury days earlier.
Not only was Diggins battling against her own physical limitations, but she was also contending with Astrid Oeyre Slind, who crossed the line merely four seconds behind her.
Team USA star Jessie Diggins collapsed as she crossed the finish line at Milan-Cortina (Image: Getty Images)
« I was just insanely grateful to my entire team for getting me to that start line, and then helping me at the finish line, » Diggins said. « I knew it was probably going to be really tough to breathe and really painful.
« I just was focusing on doing the best that I could in every moment. To be honest, I had no idea what place I was in at the finish, and I really didn’t care. I was just focused on doing the best that I could do. »
Despite her achievements, Diggins has confirmed she will be stepping away from competition at the end of the season.
With her decision finalised, the Team USA star offered one last statement following her emotional finish.
« I think I’m the most grateful, happiest bronze medalist in the history of the world, » she concluded.
This story first appeared on Mirror US.
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