data-template=”https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3198×2132+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F01%2Fe2%2F4bb5e6de48c7a818e25cc2e41c84%2Fgettyimages-2260706860.jpg” class=”img” alt=”USA’s Jessie Diggins takes the start of the women’s cross-country skiing 10km interval start free event of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Lago di Tesero (Val di Fiemme), on February 12, 2026.” fetchpriority=”high” />
USA’s Jessie Diggins takes the start of the women’s cross-country skiing 10km interval start free event of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Lago di Tesero (Val di Fiemme), on February 12, 2026.
TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP
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TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP
VAL DI FIEMME, Italy – Jessie Diggins, 34, overcame rib injuries to win a bronze medal at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium, reviving Olympic-level cross-country skiing in the U.S. once again.
Despite the pain, Diggins pushed through to finish third in the 10-kilometer interval start freestyle race, showing her determination and spirit on the snow before collapsing in exhaustion.
Teammate Hailey Swirbul praised Diggins for her toughness and resilience, comparing her injury to broken bones she had seen as an EMT. “She’s okay,” Swirbul reassured.
