The American skiing star was accused of ruining other athletes’ Olympic dreams when she fell on Saturday, but she pushed through 20km with a broken rib and then still lined up for the sprint on Tuesday.

Not only did Jessie Diggins receive criticism from several skiers for having ruined their chances when she fell in demanding conditions at the start of the skiathlon on Saturday, but she also fell so hard that she broke a rib.

She did not discover it until after she had completed the entire 20km race. Despite the fall and the injury, Diggins still finished eighth.

“I didn’t notice until after the race that I had broken the rib,” the American skiing star told Nettavisen.

On Tuesday, she nevertheless started the classic sprint and finished 17th overall. The pain was so intense that she could not stand upright after crossing the finish line and appeared to struggle with her breathing.

“Classic skiing hurts a lot, but I’m trying to do my best. I’m in good shape, but the injury affects me,” she said.

There is little to suggest that Diggins will skip any of her Olympic races as long as she can get out of bed in the morning. On Thursday, she starts again, this time in the 10km freestyle. Normally, she would be among the big favorites in that event.

Also Read – Diggins: The machine that keeps going when the tank is empty

Sky-high pain threshold

That Jessie Diggins is tough is nothing new.

This is the second year in a row that Diggins has had the season’s major highlight affected by injury. Last winter, she spent several painful months with a foot injury that was so severe she was close to missing the World Championships in Trondheim.

A special brace had to be made for her ski boots, but even so, the pain was almost unbearable. Diggins, who rarely skips a single World Cup race, was forced to miss several. The buildup to the World Championships was nothing as she had planned. The classic technique was the most difficult.

Nevertheless, she won the Tour de Ski and returned home from Trondheim with silver in the team sprint. A month later, she won the overall World Cup for the third time.

Read More: Olympics 2026: Complete guide to the women’s 10km interval start in freestyle technique

Retiring

The 34-year-old has decided to retire after the current season. The news was first revealed in a podcast and was confirmed by Diggins herself just before the World Cup opener in Ruka in November.

She already has three Olympic medals, including one gold from the team sprint in 2018. From the World Championships, she has seven medals, including two gold. The first came in Val di Fiemme in 2013 when she won the team sprint together with Kikkan Randall. The second came in Planica ten years later in the 10km freestyle.

It now remains to be seen whether Jessie Diggins will add to her collection at this year’s Olympics.

Also Read – Diggins: The machine that keeps going when the tank is empty

 Cross-country skiing schedule – Olympics 2026

Saturday, February 7: 20km Skiathlon C/F Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 13:00 CET: 20km Skiathlon C/F, Women

Sunday, February 8: 20km Skiathlon C/F Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:30 CET: 20km Skiathlon C/F, Men

Tuesday, February 10: Sprint C Women and Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 9:15 CET: Sprint Quali C, Women
• 9:55 CET: Sprint Quali C, Men
• 11:45 CET: Sprint Final C, Women
• 12:15 CET: Sprint Final C, Men

Thursday, February 12: 10km Interval Start F Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 13:00 CET: 10km Interval F, Women

Friday, February 13: 10km Interval Start F Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:45 CET: 10km Interval F, Men

Saturday, February 14: 4×7.5km Relay C/F Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:00 CET: 4×7.5km Relay C/F, Women

Sunday, February 15: 4×7.5km Relay C/F Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:00 CET: 4×7.5km Relay C/F, Men

Wednesday, February 18: Team Sprint Women and Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 9:45 CET: Team Sprint F Quali, Women
• 9:45 CET: Team Sprint F Quali, Men
• 11:45 CET: Team Sprint F, Women
• 11:45 CET: Team Sprint F, Men

Saturday, February 21: 50km Mass Start C Men (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:00 CET: 50km Mass Start C, Men

Sunday, February 22: 50km Mass Start C Women (More information can be found HERE)

• 10:00 CET: 50km Mass Start C, Women

The complete program for the Winter Olympic Games can be found HERE

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