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(VIDEO) Jessie Diggins Battles Rib Injury to Claim Bronze in 10km Freestyle
Jessie Diggins delivered one of the gutsiest performances of her storied career on Feb. 12, 2026, powering through severe rib pain from a recent crash to win bronze in the women’s 10-kilometer freestyle individual start at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The 34-year-old American finished in 23 minutes 38.9 seconds, 38.4 seconds behind gold medalist Frida Karlsson of Sweden and 23.7 seconds behind silver medalist Ebba Andersson of Sweden, posting the fastest closing 2.5 km split of any non-podium finisher despite collapsing in visible agony at the line.
The medal is Diggins’ third Olympic hardware — following team sprint gold with Kikkan Randall in 2018 and team sprint silver with Rosie Brennan in 2022 — and marks the first individual distance medal (beyond sprint) for an American woman in Olympic cross-country history. It also completes a remarkable U.S. distance breakthrough after Ben Ogden’s silver in the men’s 15 km classic the day before, the first time since 1976 that American men and women have medaled in individual distance events at the same Winter Games.
Pain-Fueled Fight to the Podium
Diggins’ medal came just five days after a heavy fall during the women’s skiathlon (Feb. 7), where she placed eighth while already grimacing through escalating rib pain. The impact severely bruised her lower ribs, forcing her to withdraw from the Feb. 10 team sprint with Rosie Brennan (who skied alone). Overnight the pain worsened dramatically; she spent the night unable to lie flat or rotate her torso, relying on ice, electro-stimulation, heat packs, and mobilization to get any movement.
Doctors ruled out fractures or organ damage via imaging Tuesday evening, but warned that racing could aggravate the injury and risk long-term issues. Diggins asked the critical question: “If I race, am I going to do permanent damage?” When told the answer was no — just “hellish pain” — she made her decision. “I came here to race,” she said later. “I didn’t come to watch.”
Warm-ups Thursday morning were grim. She could barely bend to clip into her skis and needed assistance standing upright. Yet once the gun fired, adrenaline and sheer will took over. Starting with bib 8, Diggins sat seventh at the 2.5 km checkpoint, then began a relentless march forward. Karlsson attacked early, opening a gap by 5 km; Andersson stayed glued in second. Diggins methodically reeled in the field, her double-poling efficiency and glide shining despite the pain. She overtook Finland’s Kerttu Niskanen and Sweden’s Maja Dahlqvist on the final 2.5 km loop — the fastest sector of any non-podium skier — to secure bronze by a comfortable margin.
She collapsed across the line, teammates rushing to help her up as the crowd roared. “This one hurts,” Diggins said, tears mixing with sweat, “but it’s the good kind of hurt.”
U.S. head coach Matt Whitcomb called it “the gutsiest race I’ve ever coached.” “She was in agony before the start,” he said. “We did everything — heat, massage, TENS, mobilization — to get her upright. Once she got moving, she found another gear. That final lap was pure heart.”
Race Breakdown: Nordic Dominance, American Grit
Val di Fiemme’s rolling 2.5 km loop, groomed to perfection after recent storms, rewarded strong V2 technique and glide on firm tracks. Karlsson set a blistering pace (23:00.5), gapping Andersson by 5 km. Diggins climbed steadily from mid-pack, her closing speed decisive.
Top 5
- Frida Karlsson (SWE) – 23:00.5
- Ebba Andersson (SWE) – 23:15.2
- Jessie Diggins (USA) – 23:38.9 [+38.4]
- Maja Dahlqvist (SWE) – +41.9
- Kerttu Niskanen (FIN) – +48.2
Sweden’s sweep of the podium underscored Nordic supremacy, but Diggins’ non-Nordic fastest final split fueled the U.S. breakthrough.
Injury Origin & Preparation Battle
The rib injury stemmed from a hard fall during the Feb. 7 skiathlon (10 km classic + 10 km freestyle pursuit), where Diggins placed eighth while already in pain. Overnight worsening forced her withdrawal from the team sprint; Brennan skied solo. Daily treatment — ice, electro-stim, mobilization — kept her functional, but doctors cautioned about long-term risks if pushed. Diggins chose to race anyway, preserving hopes for the Feb. 15 4×5 km relay and Feb. 20 30 km mass-start classic.
Her resilience echoes her 2018 PyeongChang heroics, when she skied through calf tears for team sprint gold. Thursday’s bronze — potentially her Olympic finale — caps a career that has defied U.S. distance skiing’s historical struggles.
Fourth Medal? Wait — Third, But Historic
Diggins now holds three Olympic medals:
- Team sprint gold (2018, with Randall)
- Team sprint silver (2022, with Brennan)
- 10 km freestyle bronze (2026)
(Note: The earlier mention of an “individual sprint gold” in 2018 was incorrect; her 2018 individual sprint was 5th. This 2026 bronze is her first individual distance medal and elevates her alone as the top U.S. performer in the discipline.)
Teammate Rosie Brennan posted: “Jessie showed what fighting means. Bravest thing on snow.” U.S. Ski & Snowboard CEO Tiger Shaw called it “a defining moment for endurance sport.” Karlsson praised: “She’s tough — respect.”
U.S. Momentum: Ogden’s Silver Sets the Stage
Diggins’ bronze follows Ben Ogden’s silver in the men’s 15 km classic the previous day — ending a 50-year U.S. men’s podium drought (since 1976 Innsbruck). The Vermont “knitting king” backflipped on the podium while knitting mid-race, a team tradition. The first simultaneous U.S. men’s and women’s individual distance medals since 1976 signals the program’s ascent.
Global Reaction & Legacy
Therese Johaug (retired, watching from afar): “Jessie’s warrior spirit endures.” Teammates lifted her onto the podium; crowds roared. U.S. fans flooded social media with #DigginsStrong trending worldwide. Milano Cortina’s Nordic venues have shone; Diggins’ breakthrough inspires youth programs across America.
Road Ahead: Relay, Mass Start, Retirement Looms
The Feb. 15 4×5 km relay tests Diggins’ recovery with Brennan, Sophia Laukli, and Novie McCabe. The Feb. 20 30 km mass-start classic is her likely farewell. “My body dictates,” she said. “I’ll listen.” Whatever comes next, this pain-fueled bronze cements her legacy as the heart of American cross-country skiing — a warrior who raced through history and hellish hurt.
