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On the road to the Olympics: with focus, perseverance, and attitude
Passion is the starting point—but what it really takes to reach the top is mental strength, the support of those around you, and a performance-enhancing system that not only challenges athletes but also provides them with stability and confidence. Désirée Steiner, a talented cross-country skier in the B squad and IFBC athlete, talks about her journey in elite sport: about highs, setbacks, and the daily determination to keep improving. Her story proves that sporting success is more than just results – it’s also a question of inner attitude.
My name is Désirée Steiner, I’m 26 years old, and I’m a cheerful, upbeat person with a strong drive to be active. I love spending time in nature. I was born and raised in Davos – so it’s no surprise that I came into contact with snow sports at an early age.
My role model has always been my brother, who is three years older than me and was an active cross-country skier until 2023. We inherited our passion, ambition, and love for sport from our father, who was himself an active biathlete. Apart from that, I’m just a normal person – someone who, in winter, tries to go as fast as possible on two narrow skis.
Quite simply: my goals. Knowing exactly what I’m working for. That feeling of standing at the finish line after a race and being able to say: I gave it my all. The emotions that only sport can evoke – the uplifting ones, but also the challenging ones. In sport, suffering and joy are often side by side: one day you feel completely drained, the next you feel like you’re flying. It’s indescribable. And that’s exactly why I get up every morning and train all summer – so I can experience it all in winter.
In summer, we usually train twice a day. We do a lot of roller skiing, but also walking, cycling, and weight training – fortunately, cross-country skiers can train in many different ways. I develop my training plan together with my coach, and our official summer training starts on May 1.
Each month, we spend about ten days at a training camp, with the rest of the time spent training in Davos. One rest day per week is firmly scheduled – this is essential for both body and mind. I truly value this day: meeting friends, talking about anything but sport, or simply riding my bike downhill (instead of uphill, for a change!). These conscious breaks are vital for me mentally. Taking a day off from “competition mode,” letting go of the pressure, and just being myself gives me fresh energy and motivation.
There have been several significant stages in my journey so far. However, the successes that followed setbacks have had the greatest impact on me. After failing the entrance exam for the sports high school on my first attempt, I went to the 2016 Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer (NOR) just a year later and finished second in the overall Alpine Cup standings after four victories.
In 2022, I narrowly missed out on the Olympic Games and was subsequently placed in a lower training group. But the following season, I competed in my first World Championships – and the next season, I finished twice in the top 10 in the World Cup, placed 21st in the Tour de Ski, and 21st in the overall sprint standings in the World Cup. These moments remind me time and again that it’s always worth persevering.
I had to learn how to deal with them at first – but today, I can say with confidence that every low is followed by a high at some point. I hold on to that belief. Setbacks are simply part of sport, and I try not to put myself under additional pressure or judge myself for them. Fortunately, I am rarely ill. I now approach injuries or slumps in form more consciously, using these breaks to recharge my batteries and come back stronger.
Taking a break from sport – that helps me the most. Consciously stepping out of my usual rhythm and doing something completely different. Something that challenges me and draws me out of my comfort zone – but in a way that’s different from competitive sport.
And above all: my environment. My partner, my family, and my friends give me a lot of support. Sometimes, just a phone call is enough – and I feel emotionally balanced again.
I have always been more of a team player than a typical individual athlete. The team is incredibly important to me – without it, nothing works. Especially in summer, when training sessions are long and tough, we push and motivate each other, and fight our way through together. That way, we can celebrate success together in winter or get over disappointing races more quickly.
The team includes not only the athletes, but also coaches, physical therapists, doctors, and the service team. When everyone pulls together, many things becomes easier – and in the end, you celebrate success together. No matter who comes out on top, the celebration is shared. And it’s someone different every time – but you’re happy for everyone, and I think that’s very important.
Together, we can achieve so much more – because everyone brings their own strengths to the team. We know what we’re capable of and where we can benefit from the skills of our teammates. In our small team, we are very different – and that’s exactly what makes it so great. Everyone has their own qualities, but we grow with and alongside each other.
In winter, out on the cross-country ski trail, we often find ourselves alone. For me personally, it’s like this: I’m primarily racing against the clock, not directly against the others. On race day, my performance depends solely on me – and I take full responsibility for that.
Athletically, the goal is very clear: the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan. This season is entirely focused on the Olympics. My main focus is on the sprint – I want to be in top form in February. At the same time, I’m also fighting for a place in the relay.
Personally, I now know exactly who I am and what I want: my goal is to never let myself be dragged down and to recognize my own worth – regardless of results.
Désirée Steiner is a cross-country skier with SC Davos and a member of Swiss-Ski’s B squad. She graduated from a sports high school, laying the foundation for her athletic career early on. In 2016, she represented Switzerland at the Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer. Her career highlights include an Alpine Cup victory, World Cup points – including 10th place in Falun – participation in the World Championships, and podium finishes at national level, such as silver at the Swiss Championships. After the 2025 season was cut short and the squad reshuffled, she now looks ahead with mental strength and a clear focus on her ultimate goal: the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan.
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