Mikaela Shiffrin, the two-time Olympic gold medalist, has shared the emotional challenge she and her fiancé, Norwegian alpine skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, will face during the 2026 Winter Olympics

Mikaela Shiffrin, the two-time Olympic gold medalist, has shared the emotional challenge she and her fiancé, Norwegian alpine skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, will face during the 2026 Winter Olympics: the inability to support each other in person due to competition logistics. (Newly engaged Olympic skier Mikaela Shiffrin does a wedding dress run at the Naeem Khan show)

In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Shiffrin revealed that the men’s and women’s alpine skiing events are scheduled to take place on separate mountains approximately six hours apart—Bormio for the men and Cortina d’Ampezzo for the women. This separation means the couple will be unable to attend each other’s races or provide in-person support during the Games. (Mikaela Shiffrin and Fiancé Can’t Support Each Other at 2026 …)

“We likely won’t see each other during the Olympics,” Shiffrin said, acknowledging the difficulty of being apart during such a significant event. However, she emphasized their resilience, noting, “We’re very used to being like ships passing in the night.” (Mikaela Shiffrin and Fiancé Can’t Support Each Other at 2026 …, IOC Decision Forces Distance Between Mikaela Shiffrin & Fiancé …)

Both athletes have faced significant challenges recently. Kilde suffered a severe crash in January 2024, resulting in multiple injuries that required surgery and extensive rehabilitation. Shiffrin herself endured a punctured abdomen from a crash in November 2024 but made a remarkable recovery to secure her 100th World Cup victory earlier this year. (Mikaela Shiffrin and Fiancé Can’t Support Each Other at 2026 …)

Despite the upcoming separation during the Olympics, Shiffrin and Kilde remain supportive of each other’s careers. Shiffrin expressed hope that both will be able to compete in the 2026 Games, stating, “Crossing our fingers that he is also able to get there… so that we’re both able to compete.” (Mikaela Shiffrin Recalls Being in ‘Survival Mode’ with Her Fiancé …)

Their story highlights the personal sacrifices elite athletes often make, balancing professional commitments with personal relationships.