Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin announced on Thursday that she will no longer be speaking to the media through the remainder of the Beijing Winter Games.
Shiffrin issued a statement through a U.S. Olympic spokesperson (via Reuters), saying “Mikaela (nor her mother/coach Eileen) will not be doing any media for the foreseeable future. Thank you for respecting her/their space right now.”
The decision comes after Shiffrin skidded out and fell in the giant slalom and women’s slalom competitions this week. Her second fall drew particular attention and scrutiny for NBC’s coverage of the skier’s disappointment, both with cameras staying on her as she sat in the snow and an interview immediately afterward in which she was holding back tears and still trying to process her emotions.
According to the New York Post, Shiffrin also took questions from reporters for 45 minutes following the event.
NBC Olympics executive producer Molly Solomon defended the network’s coverage of Shiffrin to the Associated Press, saying the moment was “big news.”
“We have an obligation in that moment, as the broadcaster of the Olympic games, to cover the moment,” Solomon told the AP’s David Bauder. “There’s no script when there’s a wipeout on the slopes or a fall in figure skating. We’re watching real people with real emotions in real time and we did everything we were supposed to do.”
But the mental health of athletes, especially young people participating in individual Olympic sports that attract national and international attention, is increasingly becoming a concern to neutral observers. Gymnast Simone Biles and tennis star Naomi Osaka have drawn further awareness to the issue.
Seemingly ignoring that in the name of compelling television is exactly why NBC is being portrayed as a villain here. Fortunately for her well-being, Shiffrin is doing what she feels is best for her right now.
She did compete in Friday’s Super-G race and finished the race, but did not earn a medal. The U.S. ski team said Shiffrin will also participate in the combined and team events.
Ian Casselberry is a sports media columnist for BSM. He has previously written and edited for Awful Announcing, The Comeback, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, MLive, Bleacher Report, and SB Nation. You can find him on Twitter @iancass or reach him by email at iancass@gmail.com.
