Olympic cross-country skiing gold medalist Jessie Diggins has opened up about her battle with an eating disorder, revealing that the condition nearly cost her life. The 35-year-old American athlete described the experience as "the lowest moment of my entire life" and stated that she "would've died" without professional help.
Diggins, who won gold in the team sprint at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and silver in the 30km freestyle at the 2022 Beijing Games, shared her story in an interview published Thursday. She explained how the eating disorder had "taken over" her brain, affecting both her athletic performance and personal well-being.
The skier's disclosure highlights the pressures faced by elite athletes regarding body image and weight management in endurance sports. Diggins' willingness to speak publicly about her recovery aims to raise awareness and encourage others struggling with similar issues to seek support.
