In early October, FIS official Simon Cardini announced that Jessie Diggins will retire after the upcoming season. The American ski star herself has remained entirely silent, but several fellow athletes are deeply critical of how the news was handled.

According to Simon Cardini, race director at the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), Jessie Diggins plans to retire after the coming season. However, the American star has not made any such statement.

A bombshell in the ski world

The news that Diggins would retire after the 2026 Olympic season hit the skiing community like a bomb in early October.

Cardini claimed on the French podcast Nouvelle Trace, saying that this would be Diggins’ final season. The World Cup Finals are scheduled for Lake Placid, New York, giving the 34-year-old a chance to end her career on home soil.

The statement quickly became a hot topic, especially within the U.S. national team.

Also Read – Shock announcement: Cross-country skiing star set to retire

Complete silence

More than a month after Cardini’s remarks, Diggins herself has neither confirmed nor denied the news. The American team’s media representatives have also declined to comment.

Swedish skier Emma Ribom, who is in a relationship with U.S. national team member JC Schoonmaker, wouldn’t be surprised if Diggins decided to retire after more than 15 years on the World Cup circuit. So, when the “news bomb” dropped, she immediately called her boyfriend to ask if he knew anything.

“I called JC right away and asked if it was true. She’s the biggest star in the U.S., maybe the biggest ever. So it felt like a reasonable question to ask,” Ribom told Expressen, adding:

“She’s been around for a very long time, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable if she chose to retire.”

However, she didn’t get any clear answer.

Her teammate Maja Dahlqvist, who lives with U.S. skier Kevin Bolger, had a similar reaction.

“When I heard the news, I just assumed it was true. It kind of felt expected,” she said.

But she hasn’t confirmed it?

“No.”

Deep criticism

Several athletes, including the two Swedish stars, have criticized the FIS official’s behavior.

“It’s strange to go public with something like that without having spoken to Jessie herself. It puts her in an awkward position,” Ribom told Expressen.

“I feel like this is something an athlete should be able to announce on their own, in their own way. So, if it’s true that she’s retiring, it’s sad that she was denied that opportunity,” she added, shaking her head.

“It’s strange to express yourself that way.”

If Diggins really intends to retire, she will likely make the announcement herself during the World Cup opening in Ruka on November 28. Maja Dahlqvist believes she will confirm it then.

“You’d think she would have denied it by now if it wasn’t true, right?”

The 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan–Cortina will take place from February 6 to 22.

Also Read: Program for cross-country skiing at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics

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