Audio Dump: Women’s 10km Skate Press Conference, ft. Bronze Medalist Jessie Diggins

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By Gavin Kentch

LAGO DI TESERO — Jessie Diggins won a bronze medal earlier today in the women’s 10-kilometer interval-start skate. In a career marked by grit, fortitude, and, well, digging deep, it was a notably gutsy performance, even by her standards. Sometimes people have a mythology built up around them because it is true.

“I worked as an EMT the last winter as a ski patroller during my retirement,” said unofficial first responder Hailey Swirbul of her moments with Diggins just after she had crossed the line, “and I saw some people writhing in pain for broken bones and such and Jessie looks comparable.”

I talked with a heck of a lot of people today; we’ll have a full race report from the venue up for you later tonight. Until then, here is today’s audio from the podium press conference. The lion’s share of the questions went to Diggins, with gold medalist Frida Karlsson next. Pity poor Ebba Andersson, who may not have received a single question on the day.

Here is audio from the press conference. Jump to a few minutes in to hear questions and answers rather than just the intro.

In conclusion, here is a picture of (some of) the American team today:

And here is a photo of Diggins reuniting with husband Wade Poplawski after the rae while many, many people (including me) photograph the moment:

Again, come back within the evening for a full race writeup on what is now Diggins’s fourth (!) career Olympic medal.

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