• Published: Feb 21 2026 01:02 PM
  • Last Updated: Feb 21 2026 04:49 PM

Taylor Swift hails Mikaela Shiffrin’s historic 2026 Olympic gold! Read about the



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Something unexpected happened at the 2026 Winter Olympics. It wasn’t just about snow, speed, or medals. It was about a pop star and a skier sharing a small but powerful moment online.

Fans noticed it almost instantly. A lyric. A comment. Three gold medal emojis. And suddenly, two very different worlds felt connected in a way nobody planned but everyone loved.

Here’s the full story, with everything that made this moment bigger than just a social media comment.

Why Did Taylor Swift Comment on Mikaela Shiffrin’s Post?

After winning gold in the women’s slalom at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Mikaela Shiffrin celebrated on Instagram in her own way. Instead of a long emotional speech, she posted a powerful action shot from the race and captioned it with a lyric from Taylor Swift’s song “Ruin the Friendship.”

“My advice is always ruin the friendship,” she wrote.

The track comes from Swift’s latest album The Life of a Showgirl, released on October 3, 2025. It’s the sixth song on the 12-track album and quickly became a fan favorite.

Swift saw the post. And she responded.

“HISTORIC 🥇🥇🥇,” the 14-time Grammy winner wrote in all caps.

Just one word. Three gold medals. But fans immediately understood the meaning behind it.

What Made This Gold Medal So Historic?

This wasn’t just another Olympic win for Shiffrin. It was a record-breaking moment.

With this slalom victory, the 30-year-old became:

  • The most decorated skier in Olympic history

  • The first U.S. skier to win three Olympic gold medals

  • A three-time Olympic gold medalist, tying her with American greats like Shaun White and Kaillie Humphries for Winter Olympic gold count

Her combined finish time was 1:39.10, placing her 1.50 seconds ahead of Switzerland’s Camille Rast. That margin was the largest in any Olympic alpine skiing event since 1998.

And this win mattered emotionally too. It ended an eight-year Olympic gold drought since her last gold at the 2018 PyeongChang Games. After a tough experience in Beijing in 2022, this podium finish felt like redemption.

When she crossed the finish line, she briefly lowered her head, overwhelmed. Then she pumped her fist. You could see it meant everything.

Mikaela Shiffrin

What Did Shiffrin Say After Winning?

Speaking to reporters, Shiffrin said something that really stuck with fans.

“I wanted to be free, I wanted to unleash,” she explained. “It’s not easy to do that, but I’ve been so focused every single day. In the end, today, showing up – that was the thing I wanted most. More than the medal. Now to also get to have a medal is unbelievable.”

It didn’t sound rehearsed. It sounded real.

This gold also marked her second slalom Olympic gold. Her first came in Sochi in 2014 when she was just 18 years old. So in many ways, this was a full circle moment.

Mikaela Shiffrin

How Mikaela Shiffrin Became One of Taylor Swift’s Biggest Fans

Mikaela Shiffrin isn’t just a casual fan scrolling through playlists. She’s a full-on Swiftie and she’s never hidden it.

In July 2023, she and her U.S. Ski teammates turned into concert superfans at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stop in Denver. They rented a private suite, belted out every lyric, and lived the moment like thousands of other devoted fans in the stadium. For Shiffrin, it wasn’t just a fun night out. It was personal.

Months later, in January 2024, she told The New York Times that she has spent 15 years studying Taylor Swift. Not just the music, but the mindset. The way Swift handles fame. The way she responds to criticism. The way she keeps reinventing herself while staying authentic.

Shiffrin explained that Swift’s songs feel like they are speaking directly to you. That emotional honesty helped her navigate the pressure, setbacks, and expectations that come with being one of the greatest skiers in history.

So when Shiffrin celebrated her Olympic milestone using Swift’s lyrics, it wasn’t a trendy caption. It was a tribute from one high achiever to another.

Taylor Swift and Mikaela Shiffrin

Why Did Taylor Swift Use Three Gold Medals?

Swift’s comment was short but thoughtful.

The word “HISTORIC” recognized what Shiffrin had achieved in skiing history. And the three gold medal emojis symbolized Shiffrin’s three Olympic golds.

Fans quickly noticed the detail. It showed Swift understood exactly what the moment represented.

It also felt like mutual respect. Shiffrin admired Swift’s journey in music. Swift acknowledged Shiffrin’s legacy in sport.

That exchange turned into one of the most talked-about cultural crossovers of the Games.

Did Taylor Swift Cheer for Other Olympians Too?

Yes — and it wasn’t just a single comment.

During the opening stretch of the Winter Games, Swift shared a heartfelt video message applauding Olympic athletes for their relentless dedication, sacrifices, and the years of unseen work behind every medal moment. She called their journeys inspiring and powerful to witness.

She also reacted warmly to fellow American skier Breezy Johnson’s engagement announcement, showing support beyond the slopes.

So her message to Mikaela Shiffrin wasn’t random. Swift has been quietly, consistently cheering on Team USA throughout the Olympics — celebrating not just victories, but the people behind them.

2026 Winter Olympics Details

Detail

Information

Location

Milan & Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

Dates

February 6 – February 22

Total Events

116 events

Sports

8 sports, 16 disciplines

Shiffrin Event

Women’s Alpine Slalom

Gold Medal Count

3 Olympic gold medals

All details about Shiffrin’s record, time margin, medal count, and Swift’s comment have been confirmed by multiple sports and entertainment outlets.

What Made Taylor Swift’s Olympic Response So Powerful

This wasn’t just a celebrity comment, it was a rare crossover between two women at the peak of their worlds. An Olympian celebrating with lyrics that helped shape her mindset, and a global pop icon recognizing a history-making victory with a single word. There was no promotion or spectacle, just pure respect. For fans it felt refreshing, for Shiffrin it was likely surreal, and for everyone watching it became one of those uncommon online moments that felt genuinely joyful and real.

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Source(Image / Thumbnail): people.com

FAQ

Taylor Swift responded after Mikaela Shiffrin used lyrics from her song Ruin the Friendship in an Instagram post celebrating her gold medal win at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Taylor Swift commented “HISTORIC” with three gold medal emojis to celebrate Shiffrin’s third Olympic gold medal and her record-breaking achievement.

Mikaela Shiffrin now has three Olympic gold medals, making her the first U.S. skier to reach that milestone and one of the most decorated Winter Olympians.

Mikaela Shiffrin quoted lyrics from Taylor Swift’s song Ruin the Friendship, which is part of her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl.

She became the most decorated skier in Olympic history and the first American skier to win three Olympic gold medals.

Yes, Mikaela Shiffrin is a longtime Swiftie. She attended the Eras Tour in 2023 and has said Taylor Swift’s music helped guide her through fame and challenges.

The 2026 Winter Olympics are being held in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, featuring 116 events across multiple winter sports.

Fans love seeing two powerful women from different worlds — music and sports — support each other. Their Instagram exchange felt genuine, emotional, and historic, which made it go viral quickly.

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