Milan, Italy – As the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics continue, Italian alpine skier Sofia Goggia has revealed the pivotal role of meditation and gratitude in her training regimen and overall approach to competition. Goggia, a two-time Olympic medalist, shared her insights in a recent interview released by the Olympics organization, emphasizing the importance of mental centering amidst the intense pressures of elite athletics.
“Meditation is a moment of centering, being here and now, and observing thoughts as they pass through my mind without any judgement,” Goggia explained. “I feel meditation gives you…an inner sense of balance.” She highlighted that this inner equilibrium is particularly crucial when competing at the highest level of the sport, enabling her to maintain focus and express herself fully, both as an athlete and an individual.
Beyond meditation, Goggia attributes significant value to a consistent gratitude practice. She believes cultivating gratitude is a universally beneficial practice, stating that “living with a sense of gratitude is something that truly makes a difference,” regardless of one’s profession or life circumstances.
Goggia acknowledged that the methods for achieving inner peace and balance are deeply personal. “I believe that each of us knows or understands which method is most correct and suitable for finding that sense of center for ourselves,” she said, stressing the importance of self-awareness and individual exploration. She further emphasized the need to actively appreciate the world around us, advocating for intentional pauses to “notice the beauty around us.”
The opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics took place on February 6th at the San Siro stadium in Milan, marking the beginning of two weeks of competition across various winter sports. The games are being held across a wide geographical area, extending from Milan to Cortina d’Ampezzo, a distance of over 400 kilometers, presenting logistical challenges related to transportation and carbon emissions, as noted in reports from Le Monde.
Competition has already begun, with Austria securing gold in the alpine skiing women’s team combined on Tuesday, although American Mikaela Shiffrin finished fourth. Team USA’s Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse won silver in mixed doubles curling, with Thiesse becoming the first American woman to earn an Olympic medal in the sport. The games are showcasing athletes from around the world competing in 16 different sports, with numerous inspiring performances already recorded, according to CNN.
The 2026 Winter Olympics are unfolding against a backdrop of geopolitical and climate tensions, as reported by Le Monde. The choice of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo aims to showcase Northern Italy’s diverse regions and assets, but also presents logistical complexities and environmental concerns.
