Flame Bearers: Pathways to Paris

Sofia grew up wanting to do everything her older brother, Tommaso did, so when he took to the slopes, she begged her Mom to let her join. At 6, she forecasted her future: she wanted to be a famous ski racer who would win World Cups. Flash forward to today, and she's crowned the 'queen of speed' with 3x World Cup Downhill title wins and 2x Olympic medals including the first for Italy in her discipline (downhill). That said, Sofia wants her episode to focus on her comebacks, and how she's responded to countless injuries including what she describes as the most challenging time of her life: the 23 days between her debilitating crash in Cortina and taking home silver in Beijing 2022. You read that right... She could barely walk, yet she won silver in the Olympic downhill, the fastest event on skis. When asked about what moment (skiing or not) she's most proud of, she cites two moments: her Olympic gold, and her continuous growth; "The thing that makes me most proud of myself is when I see that I'm becoming a better person." Her goal is to leave a mark on everything she does and everyone with whom she interacts. "I want to make a difference, and it's not only skiing but everything I do. It is good to leave a piece of you in everyone you meet." She cites her incredible support team including her sponsor, Red Bull, as well as friend and mentor, Lindsey Vonn (see quote in podcast graphic) for helping her get to where she is today. As Sofia looks to the future, she's eager to rewrite history in the Cortina 2026 Games. Contributing Expert: Pete Sharland (Digital Editor, Eurosport) Thank you to Dino Cattaneo for making this episode possible. Media clips from the following sources were used: -'Happy Sofia Goggia makes successful comeback in downhill practice: "I was not afraid at all"', Alessandro Poggi, February 12, 2022, Olympics.com -Goggia wins historic Women's Downhill Gold for Italy | Alpine Skiing, Olympics.com -NBC Sports' YouTube Channel, 'Goggia crashes to end streak, Gut-Behrami takes title in Zauchensee', January 15, 2022. - @NBCOlympics Tweet, February 17, 2022. - NBC Sports' YouTube Channel, 'Sofia Goggia completes Lake Louise World Cup sweep with super-G win,' December 5, 2021. - NBC Sports' YouTube Channel, 'Goggia wins World Cup downhill; Johnson second | NBC Sports, December 20, 2021. - FIS Alpine's YouTube Channel, '🏆 Sofia GOGGIA | DH World Cup Champion | "This means a lot to me" | FIS Alpine,' March 4, 2023. - Olympics' YouTube Channel, 'Sofia Goggia's Alpine Skiing Highlights | PyeongChang 2018', March 8, 2018. - The New York Time's YouTube Channel, 'The Sounds of the Downhill', February 15, 2015. - NBC Sports' YouTube Channel, 'Goggia crashes to end streak, Gut-Behrami takes title in Zauchensee,' January 15, 2022.