Gold Medal Hopeful Jessie Diggins Speaks Out Ahead of Winter Olympics
34-year-old Jessie Diggins is the most decorated cross-country skier in American history.
With three World Cup overall titles, three Olympic medals, and seven World Championship medals to her name, she's known globally as a force on the XC track.
Diggins hails from Minnesota and recently took to Instagram to address the immigration raids, murders, and deportations that have been taking place in her home state over the last month.
"I want to make sure you know who I’m racing for when I get to the start line at the Olympics," writes Diggins. "I’m racing for [the] American people who stand for love, for acceptance, for compassion, honesty and respect for others. I do not stand for hate or violence or discrimination."
Read Diggins' full post below. Keep scrolling for more.
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Diggins, who didn't address the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids by name, didn't mince words when stating her intentions for the upcoming 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
"I get to decide who I’m racing for every single day, and how I want to live up to my values. For everyone out there caring for others, protecting their neighbors, and meeting people with love - every single step is for you," she wrote across social media. "YOU are the ones who make me proud to carry the flag, and I hope I can bring you joy over these next few weeks."
Diggins has limited comments on Instagram, but her Facebook post has been flooded with words of support from Minnesota and elsewhere:
"Top of the podium or dead last doesn’t matter — your integrity is pure gold."
"Go Jessie Go. Your home state is proud of you and hope that you are proud of our non-violent, Constitutional resistance to ICE."
"My now favorite Olympian! Thank you for using your platform to speak up for human dignity and compassion."
Photo: EMMI KORHONEN/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images
Diggins has stated that Milan-Cortina will be her last Olympic Games, and whether she brings home the gold or not, the entire team at POWDER will be rooting hard for her.
Stay tuned in here at POWDER for more stories, coverage, and results throughout the Milan-Cortina games. The Opening Ceremony takes place on Thursday, February 6, 2026.