Alpine Skiers revel in Olympic spirit as spectators in Paris

Paris, which has just completed three exhilarating weeks hosting the Olympic Games, has attracted athletes and supporters from all over the world.

Among the crowd were some well-known alpine skiers who, for once, enjoyed the event from the stands rather than the slopes, free from any pressure. Some of them are already Olympic champions or medalists, while others dream of achieving that status. These athletes, always under pressure during the winter and constantly fighting for tenths of a second to live their Olympic dream, were able, for once, to relax and enjoy this beautiful event.

French skiers Romane Miradoli and Victor Muffat Jeandet couldn’t miss the chance to be part of the Olympics in their home country. Soaking up the Olympic atmosphere, they were able to celebrate the French medals and savour the experience without the usual pressure of competition.

Italian skier Marta Bassino also enjoyed her time in Paris. Invited by her ski brand, she shared her excitement and joy with her followers on Instagram, looking thrilled in every photo.

With 3 Olympic medals under her belt (bronze in Giant Slalom in 2018 in PyeongChang, silver in Giant Slalom in 2022 in Beijing and bronze the same year in the Alpine Combined) Federica Brignone also joined the Olympic experience to live the fan experience and enjoy the Games from a new perspective.

Mikaela Shiffrin, the most successful skier in history, visited Paris for the Olympic Games, bringing with her an incredible legacy.

With three Olympic medals - gold in slalom at Sochi 2014, gold in Giant Slalom, and silver in Alpine combined at PyeongChang 2018 - alongside being a four-time world champion, her achievements are unparalleled. Shiffrin has claimed 97 World Cup victories and stood on the podium 152 times.

While enjoying the charm of the French capital, she surely absorbed some of its vibrant energy to fuel her quest for more medals.

Slovakia's Petra Vlhova made the trip to the French capital, adding her enthusiasm to the mix. Having injured her knee last season, the 2022 Olympic slalom champion in Beijing was certainly able to soak up the excitement in order to complete her preparations for the new season and return to her highest level.

Swiss skiers, including the Meillard siblings and Corinne Suter, spent several days in Paris, exploring various competition venues. They particularly enjoyed watching the beach volleyball matches, adding a fun twist to their visit.

As with Petra, Corinne injured her knee last season and is currently undergoing rehabilitation to get back to her best. Olympic champion in the queen discipline, the Downhill, at the Beijing Games in 2022, the swiss athlete intends to defend her title in two years' time at Milano-Cortina 2026. 

With four Olympic medals to his name, including three at the 2010 Whistler Creekside Olympics (Gold in Super-G, Silver in Downhill, and Bronze in Giant Slalom) and the title of Olympic Downhill Champion at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, Norwegian star Aksel Lund Svindal traveled to Paris to support his wife, 400m hurdler Amalie Luel.

Tina Maze, the Slovenian champion who also has four Olympic medals to her name (Silver in Giant Slalom and Super-G in 2010 at Whistler Creekside, and two Olympic titles at Sochi in 2014 in Downhill and Giant Slalom), together with Marco Büchel, two retired ski stars, also made the trip to Paris. They enjoyed the Games alongside the fans, demonstrating their enduring love of the sport.

These alpine skiers, usually seen speeding down mountains, found joy in simply being part of the Olympic Games in Paris. Their presence highlighted the universal appeal of the Olympics, bringing together athletes and fans in a shared celebration of sport and camaraderie.