Scottish freestyle skier Kirsty Muir has spoken about her recovery from a serious knee injury as she targets a medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, just six months away. The 20-year-old tore her anterior cruciate ligament and damaged her meniscus during a Big Air final in December 2023, yet still managed to win bronze. She underwent surgery in January 2024, followed by shoulder surgery two months later, leading to a year of rehabilitation.
Muir, who made her Olympic debut at Beijing 2022 as a 17-year-old, described the Covid-hit Games as a muted experience. 'I feel like this is my first proper Games because last time it was during Covid,' she said at the Team GB media summit in Edinburgh. 'All my interviews were on Zoom so I've not done this. I was also very shy and since then I've come out of my shell.'
Despite the setback, Muir returned to the World Cup circuit in January 2025 and immediately qualified for finals. She credits a positive mindset and focus on small goals during her recovery. 'I was really trying to celebrate the little goals. When you're on crutches for a few weeks, getting back to normal walking, that's a success,' she said.
Muir finished eighth in the slopestyle final in Beijing and believes she can improve on that performance in Italy. 'I feel I belong more in the sport, have a place in it,' she added. 'I feel like I will get the whole Olympic experience this time.'
