A Celebration of Legacy and Inspiration
Hundreds of Minnesotans gathered at Allianz Field on Sunday, April 19, to honor the retirement of skiing icon Jessie Diggins. Known as the most decorated cross-country skier in U.S. history, Diggins officially stepped away from competition in March after her final race in New York, where she secured her fourth overall World Cup title. The event was a heartfelt tribute to a career that spanned over 15 years and left an indelible mark on the sport.
For many fans, Diggins represents more than just a champion; she is a “local living legend” who has inspired generations both on and off the slopes. Her dedication, resilience, and passion for the sport have motivated countless young athletes to pursue their own dreams in cross-country skiing.
One such fan, Daniel Steltz, attended the event with his parents and son. He wore a ski bib featuring Diggins’ face, which belonged to his neighbor and Diggins’ first coach, Tim Miner. Steltz shared how Diggins’ grit and determination have left a lasting impression on him. He recalled the emotional moment during the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics when Diggins, alongside Kikkan Randall, earned the United States’ first-ever cross-country gold medal.
“I’ve never watched a racing event and gotten goose bumps like I did with her gold medal sprint,” he said. “That one, particularly, just brings so much to the sport.”
Glitter, Teamwork, and Community
The celebration was filled with colorful moments, including tables stocked with multicolored glitter and lip balm for attendees to use. Diggins is famously known for wearing glitter during her races and even applying it to her teammates. Fans embraced this tradition, with many adding glitter to their outfits and even gifting sparkles to loved ones.
Lauren Henrich and her mother, Lori, were among those who participated in the glitter festivities. They had followed Diggins’ career for years and came to the event to see her one last time. Lauren expressed how Diggins’ approach to the sport goes beyond winning.
“It’s not just about winning for her, it’s about being out there with everybody, and it’s a whole team atmosphere coming together and just doing the best,” she said.
Diggins took the stage to speak with her fans for nearly 40 minutes, expressing her gratitude for their unwavering support throughout her career. Many of her fans, including Minneapolis resident Mark Raderstorf, traveled to Italy in February to watch Diggins’ final Olympic races. Raderstorf, who previously worked with Diggins’ mother, Deb, described the experience as a “once-in-a-lifetime Olympics experience.”
He wore a hat made by the family for Diggins’ final Olympics and shared his admiration for her discipline and grace. Raderstorf also highlighted Diggins’ vulnerability and strength, especially regarding her struggles with an eating disorder.
“She’s so disciplined, goal-oriented, but always did it with grace, and always has a positive perspective on life,” he said. “Her vulnerability really is her strength, especially around her eating disorder struggles. I think she will continue to be a role model, even beyond her skiing days.”
Advocacy and Mental Health
Diggins has been open about her mental health journey, and her advocacy has resonated with many. The Emily Program, one of the nation’s largest eating disorder practices and a key sponsor of Diggins, provided resources at the event. During an interview with the Minnesota Star Tribune, Diggins shared how she recently spoke at an award ceremony for women in healthcare, where she shared her story.
People who were at the ceremony worked for the Emily Program while she was in treatment. Diggins expressed her deep gratitude for their support.
“It was so impactful for me to get to say thank you to them and let them know, these medals, all these kids that are like wearing glitter, that’s because you saved me,” she said. “I wouldn’t be here with medals if you weren’t there on those days.”
A New Chapter
Although Diggins is stepping back from competitive skiing, she is far from done with athletics. She is excited about her next challenge: training for an ultramarathon. Diggins mentioned that she has signed up for a few running races that are beautiful, mountainous, and physically demanding.
“I’m signed up for a couple of running races that are just beautiful, mountainous, big challenges,” she said. “But I’m excited about that because I’m not going there to try to win it. I’ve done that part of my life. I’m going there just to see if I can do it, just to push myself, to challenge myself.”
As for what lies ahead, Diggins plans to continue sharing her story. During her speech, she emphasized the importance of mental health and encouraged her fans to carry a piece of her wherever they go.
“Please keep wearing glitter at your races and at your big moments,” she said. “I’m going to keep wearing glitter, too.”
