Federica Brignone, New Doubts About the Future: “I Don’t Want to Get Hurt”
Federica Brignone’s future is still wide open, but one thing is certain: after winning two Olympic gold medals at Milan-Cortina 2026, the Italian athlete has no intention of rushing things. At the Trento Sports Festival, the champion from the Aosta Valley spoke mainly about what lies ahead, emphasizing one essential condition: “Either I’m healthy, or I’m healthy. I don’t want to limp or get hurt.”
The champion underwent another surgery on August 25 to remove a metal plate from her left leg and is now continuing her rehabilitation at J Medical in Turin: “For the first two weeks, I used crutches. I’m working to improve even further. My plans have already been derailed, because I wanted to compete for a full season, but instead I couldn’t go to Argentina. Now we’ll see—there’s the World Championships in February in Crans-Montana, but I’m not sure if I feel like returning just to compete.”
“Those two gold medals were highly unlikely, if not impossible. I’m still really surprised,” she said, recalling her feat at Milan-Cortina 2026. This result came after some very difficult months and a journey during which she had to learn to listen to her body.
Meanwhile, Federica Brignone posted a video on her personal Instagram profile launching a new initiative, Be Tiger. “This idea was conceived together with my brother Davide. We wanted to create something that could inspire all those who face a challenge every day,” wrote the two-time Olympic champion.
“In life, as in sports, there always comes a moment when you have to find the courage to push beyond your limits and face difficulties. This is where the Tiger logo comes from. ‘The Tiger’ is the nickname that has accompanied me throughout the last few years of my career, born from the determination I’ve always shown on the course.”
Today, that symbol becomes a message: ‘Be Tiger’ means having the courage to bring out the best in yourself. It means believing in yourself. It means facing your fears. Because there’s a tiger inside each of us. You just have to find the courage to set it free.”
In the animated video posted on Instagram, the Italian champion is dressed in a tiger-print tracksuit, and at one point transforms into a tiger—the symbolic animal she wears on her helmet and that has defined her career.
