.jpg)
1 hour ago
3
Olympic icon Simone Biles is backing her teammate Mikaela Shiffrin at the 2026 Winter Games, a move fans see as a huge show of solidarity. The interaction is expected to draw global attention to Cortina d’Ampezzo, where Shiffrin recently competed in the Women’s Giant Slalom.
Biles, wife of Jonathan Owens (safety for the Chicago Bears), confirmed that their ongoing bond regarding mental health and elite performance, solidified in their January podcast series "What's the Point,” remains the cornerstone of their 2026 campaign. For these Games, the athletes have signaled that “anything is possible and everything is possible.”
On Monday, Biles showed support for Shiffrin, sharing her post with three white heart emojis. Shiffrin had posted an optimistic message, praising the competition and her sport.
Mikaela Shiffrin draws support from Simone Biles pic.twitter.com/INPemZ8RaS
— MOHAMMAD ASIF ANSARI (@WriterMohammad) February 16, 2026Shiffrin has embraced a philosophy of "optimistic struggle" following her 11th-place finish in the Giant Slalom, which extended a podium drought dating back to 2018.
“I truly believe that the valleys guide you to a peak right... you cannot climb to the top of the mountain without knowing what it means to be like struggling,” Shiffrin said in episode 7 of What’s the Point. “The disappointment and all of that is its guidance, it's motivation.”
During a recorded discussion this year, Biles, who famously defended Shiffrin during the 2022 Beijing Games, disclosed that even at the highest levels of gymnastics, she is compelled by a persistent sense of caution.
“I'm not even going to lie like every single time... if I'm at the end of the vault table and I'm set to compete the chinko double pike, I'm absolutely terrified,” Biles said. “It's always about what could go wrong.”
MORE: Bears could cut ties with $72 million starter due to salary cap crunch, reporter says
Simone Biles and Mikaela Shiffrin compared technical demands across summer and winter disciplines
The concept for this joint advocacy emerged from their shared experiences of high-stakes fear and the physical reality of their respective environments. Shiffrin detailed the grueling process of mountain preparation, specifically the use of injection bars to create icy surfaces.
“We inject the mountain with water so that it's icy and fast and hard,” Shiffrin said. “Most people don't realize that we're like 'Yeah, we're just taking fire hoses or these huge thing,s these injection bars.'”
As a consequence, Biles’ team has conducted its own logistical maneuvers, specifically focusing on ensuring the US team can train on equipment shipped from countries like Japan to match international competition surfaces. This attention to detail is part of a broader strategy to maintain their status as the greatest of all time - a legacy Biles celebrates with her signature "GOAT" necklace.
Biles reflected on the accessory as a way to engage with the public:
“The people that say I'm the goat, they love the necklace and the people that always are arguing... absolutely hate it, so it's like the best of both worlds.”
Shiffrin diligently assembled her motivation based on Biles’ advice to compete for oneself.
More Chicago Bears News:
English (US)