Speed Skater Eyes Redemption Four Years After Olympic Heartbreak
Kristen Santos-Griswold still can't bring herself to watch the video of her 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics short track speed skating disaster, where a collision with Italy's Arianna Fontana left her fourth and denied her medal. The painful memory had taken an emotional toll, prompting Santos-Griswold to consider retiring from competition so she could focus on school.
However, Santos-Griswold, 31, decided not to step away from the sport that had been a part of her life since age three, when she began figure skating and later discovered speedskating. Now, four years after her Beijing heartbreak, she's competing in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, determined to win the medal that eluded her.
Santos-Griswold admits that watching the crash was therapeutic, helping her move on from it and finding pride in being back on the ice, competing again. She's worked tirelessly to improve her mental game, citing a newfound ability to enjoy the process rather than getting overly focused on results. "I'm trying to switch that a lot and enjoy every day, not really think about the racing until it's time to race," she said.
Under the guidance of head coach Stephen Gough, Santos-Griswold has made significant strides in her training, winning gold medals at several international competitions, including the Four Continents Short Track Speed Skating Championships. Her experience on the world stage has also given her valuable lessons about mental preparation and tactics.
As she prepares to take her starting position in Italy, Santos-Griswold is focused on one thing: enjoying the experience. She's eager to have her family in the stands, a support system she didn't have during the Beijing Games, and plans to employ a different mindset, worrying less about the things she can't control and more about appreciating each day.
Santos-Griswold's journey began when she was three years old, with figure skating. She discovered speedskating at eight after seeing a commercial on TV, begging her mom to sign her up. The sport quickly became an integral part of her life, with competitions against men several times her age fueling her competitive spirit.
Now, as Santos-Griswold takes the ice for what could be her final Olympics, she's determined to make the most of it, and prove that she's more than just a talented athlete – she's a resilient competitor who can learn from past mistakes and enjoy the journey.
Kristen Santos-Griswold still can't bring herself to watch the video of her 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics short track speed skating disaster, where a collision with Italy's Arianna Fontana left her fourth and denied her medal. The painful memory had taken an emotional toll, prompting Santos-Griswold to consider retiring from competition so she could focus on school.
However, Santos-Griswold, 31, decided not to step away from the sport that had been a part of her life since age three, when she began figure skating and later discovered speedskating. Now, four years after her Beijing heartbreak, she's competing in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, determined to win the medal that eluded her.
Santos-Griswold admits that watching the crash was therapeutic, helping her move on from it and finding pride in being back on the ice, competing again. She's worked tirelessly to improve her mental game, citing a newfound ability to enjoy the process rather than getting overly focused on results. "I'm trying to switch that a lot and enjoy every day, not really think about the racing until it's time to race," she said.
Under the guidance of head coach Stephen Gough, Santos-Griswold has made significant strides in her training, winning gold medals at several international competitions, including the Four Continents Short Track Speed Skating Championships. Her experience on the world stage has also given her valuable lessons about mental preparation and tactics.
As she prepares to take her starting position in Italy, Santos-Griswold is focused on one thing: enjoying the experience. She's eager to have her family in the stands, a support system she didn't have during the Beijing Games, and plans to employ a different mindset, worrying less about the things she can't control and more about appreciating each day.
Santos-Griswold's journey began when she was three years old, with figure skating. She discovered speedskating at eight after seeing a commercial on TV, begging her mom to sign her up. The sport quickly became an integral part of her life, with competitions against men several times her age fueling her competitive spirit.
Now, as Santos-Griswold takes the ice for what could be her final Olympics, she's determined to make the most of it, and prove that she's more than just a talented athlete – she's a resilient competitor who can learn from past mistakes and enjoy the journey.
I mean, can't say I blame Kristen Santos-Griswold for still hurting about that crash 4 years ago 
. It's crazy how one moment can leave such a lasting impact 
. But here's the thing: if watching that video was therapeutic for her and helped her move on, then more power to her 
! Maybe it's time we stop beating ourselves up over our mistakes and focus on what we can learn from them 
.
. It's almost like she's found a new sense of purpose in sports beyond just winning medals 
. And hey, who knows, maybe this is the Olympics where she finally gets that gold medal and can put all the heartbreak behind her 
!
Speed skating is all about perseverance & growth! 
#MentalHealthMatters 
she had such a tough time after beijing but its so inspiring to see her come back stronger 
anyway im rooting for her 1000% 
She went back to skating just 4 yrs after being crushed by another skater 
️ I feel so bad for Kristen Santos-Griswold 
It's all about being in the moment and appreciating what you can control. Plus, having her family in the stands will definitely make a big difference 
Four years after that embarrassing crash, she's back on the ice and more determined than ever! 
Anyway, I hope she nails this Olympics and gets that medal she deserves. Fingers crossed (or should I say, fingers on the ice?). 
Santos-Griswold is literally my spirit animal 
. Four years after that brutal Beijing exit, she's back in the game and better than ever 
her training with coach gough has clearly paid off too, winning those international gold medals is no easy feat! 
. And that's something we can all learn from.
. We can't wait to see her take the ice at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics! 
i loved how she talked about having her family in the stands this time around - it shows she's all about sharing this experience with the people who matter most 
those gold medals aren't going to medal themselves, but it looks like she's been working hard to make them happen. 
. I've been in situations where I'm so focused on achieving something that I forget to enjoy the process. It's like, you know when you're stuck on a specific goal and everything else just fades away? She's taking the right approach by shifting her mindset and appreciating each day. Her story is actually really inspiring 
.