Federica Brignone Faces Race Against Time for Olympics Comeback

UPDATE: Italian ski champion Federica Brignone is facing an uncertain path to recovery, just months before the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Following a severe accident in April, where she suffered multiple fractures in her left leg and an ACL tear, Brignone is unsure when she can return to competitive skiing.

Brignone, the reigning World Cup champion, was expected to be a star athlete for Italy at the Winter Games, set to begin in February 2026. Now, she may have to watch from the sidelines as she undergoes extensive rehabilitation. “I don’t think I’ll be able to get back to exactly how I was before,” Brignone stated during a media day organized by the Italian winter sports federation.

Brignone’s devastating injury occurred during a giant slalom crash at the Italian championships, which was supposed to cap off her triumphant season. She clinched the overall World Cup title along with the giant slalom and downhill crystal globes. Now, with less than four months until the Olympics, she is focusing on a rigorous recovery regimen, committing around seven hours daily to rehabilitation.

“I have not had precise dates since I hurt myself,” Brignone explained. “It’s very complicated to give those. I am working week by week; certainly, I’m getting better, and I’m working hard.” Despite her optimism, Brignone acknowledged that she will not be ready to ski by November. She candidly expressed her doubts about participating in the Olympics, stating, “Honestly, until I put my skis back on, I don’t know if I’ll be able to ski at the Olympics.”

Brignone also displayed a selfless attitude towards her teammates, saying, “We have a really strong team, so if one of them deserves the place more than me, they deserve it more than me.”

Even amidst the uncertainty, Brignone remained upbeat. “It’s not these Olympics that will change my life, change my career,” she noted. “I’ve done what I’ve done and achieved much more than I could have ever dreamed of. It would be a beautiful dream to compete.”

With the impending Olympics in her home country, the pressure to recover intensifies. Brignone reflected on the significance of the event, saying, “It’s fantastic to have the Olympics at home. I would have loved to participate, but I also need this positive energy to heal and return to normal life.”

As Brignone continues her rehabilitation journey, all eyes will be on her progress in the coming weeks. Fans and sports enthusiasts alike are hoping for a miracle comeback from the celebrated athlete as the countdown to the Milan-Cortina Olympics begins.