Lara Gut-Behrami, a three-time Olympic medalist, reportedly thinks she will retire before the 2026 Winter Games.
What's behind her decision?
Gut-Behrami, 31, has been racing on the World Cup since age 16 and feels her age, citing increased physical therapy and back problems.
Career highlights
She made her first big splash at 17 with a pair of world silver medals in 2009, making her a top challenger to Lindsey Vonn.
Recent successes
Gut-Behrami won six World Cup races between January 10 and February 27, 2021, plus world titles in the super-G and giant slalom in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Olympic prospects
She won the Olympic super-G this past February by 22 hundredths of a second over Mirjam Puchner, but now doubts her ability to compete in the 2026 Olympics.
Gut-Behrami has re-emerged from injuries before, including a season-ending ACL tear in 2017, but her current concerns may signal the end of her competitive career.
Among active Alpine skiers, Gut-Behrami ranks second behind Mikaela Shiffrin in world championships medals and World Cup wins.
Her potential retirement would be a significant loss for the sport, given her impressive record and consistent performance over the years.
Gut-Behrami's comments were reported by Swiss newspaper Blick, which highlighted her increasing physical challenges and doubts about competing in the 2026 Winter Games.
The 2026 Olympics are scheduled to take place in Italy, where Gut-Behrami won her world titles in 2021, but it remains to be seen if she will participate.
Gut-Behrami's career has been marked by notable achievements, including her first Olympic medal, downhill bronze, in the 2013-14 season.
She followed that with a World Cup overall title in 2016, solidifying her position as a top Alpine skier.
Gut-Behrami's story serves as a reminder of the physical demands and uncertainties of competitive sports, even for accomplished athletes like herself.