MILAN — American speed skater Kristen Santos-Griswold has a strong sense of determination as she looks ahead to the upcoming Winter Olympics. The 30-year-old from Fairfield, Connecticut, is setting her sights on the Milan Cortina Games for a chance at redemption following a disappointing conclusion to her short track event in Beijing, which nearly led her to walk away from the sport altogether.
Santos-Griswold entered the women’s 1,000 meters final at the 2022 Olympics as a favorite but faced heartbreak when she collided with renowned skater Arianna Fontana on the final lap, resulting in a crash that eliminated both athletes from contention. “The last Olympics didn’t unfold as I had hoped, and it was tough to process, to be honest,” Santos-Griswold reflected in a recent interview. “I battled with whether I wanted to continue skating and had to find my passion for the sport again, reminding myself that it’s not solely about the results.”
After the incident, Fontana was disqualified, leaving Santos-Griswold finishing in fourth place. The American athlete struggled emotionally upon her return from China, ultimately deciding against attending that year’s world championships in order to take time off and consider her future in skating. “I was really conflicted, grappling with my thoughts,” she explained. “I spent about a month introspecting to determine if skating was still something I wanted for myself, and not just based on external expectations or pressures.”
Despite the turbulence, Santos-Griswold concluded that she wasn’t ready to step away from the sport. “I realized I still had more to accomplish and wanted to challenge myself,” she said. As she prepared for a weekend of races in Milan that combine the final leg of the Short Track World Tour and serve as a trial for the coming Olympics, Santos-Griswold found herself in a promising position to claim the Crystal Globe. “Being here this weekend is thrilling yet nerve-wracking,” she admitted. “I want to absorb everything to set myself up for success next year.”
Reflecting on her past Olympic trials, Santos-Griswold acknowledged the pressure she felt in 2022. With even greater expectations looming for the next Games, she feels equipped to handle the weight of competition. “I believe the experience from Beijing was valuable and has prepared me for what’s coming,” she shared. “I’ve been working on grappling with the intensity of skating, especially when physically capable but not quite mentally confident.”
A key focus for Santos-Griswold is cultivating self-assurance. “I often feel compelled to prove my worth in the sport,” she admitted. “But I’m learning to embrace who I am as a skater and trust that I don’t need external validation to know my own abilities. I know I’m capable.”
As she gears up for the Olympics, Santos-Griswold’s journey reflects a resilient spirit and an unwavering love for the sport. The coming year holds great promise as she works to transform past disappointments into motivation for future success.
