Quick Read
- Chloe Kim, 25, is competing in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics snowboard halfpipe.
- She aims to become the first snowboarder to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the same event.
- Kim is competing with a torn labrum in her shoulder, sustained during training.
- She previously won gold at Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022.
- Qualifying runs are scheduled for February 11, with the final on February 12.
MILAN (Azat TV) – Two-time Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim, a prominent figure for Team USA, is currently competing at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, aiming to achieve an unprecedented third consecutive gold medal in the snowboard halfpipe. The 25-year-old athlete faces a significant challenge, having sustained a torn labrum in her shoulder just weeks before the Games, an injury that has impacted her preparation and required her to compete with a brace.
Kim, who secured gold at Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022, is vying to become the first snowboarder in history to win three successive Olympic gold medals in the same event. Her qualifying runs for the women’s snowboard halfpipe are scheduled for February 11 at Livigno Snow Park in Valtellina, Italy, with the medal final set for February 12. Despite the injury, she remains a strong favorite, signaling her determination to push through the physical demands of elite competition.
Chloe Kim’s Pursuit of Olympic History
Chloe Kim’s quest for a third Olympic gold is a focal point of the Milano Cortina Games. Her previous victories cemented her status as one of the most decorated athletes in Winter Olympics history, making her the first woman to win two gold medals in the snowboard halfpipe. A third gold would not only extend this record but also mark a historic ‘three-peat’ in the sport.
The journey to Milano Cortina has presented unique obstacles for Kim. In late January, she tore a labrum in her shoulder during training in Switzerland. This injury forced her to withdraw from a World Cup event in Colorado and limited her pre-Olympic practice, making the Games her first competition of the season, as reported by NPR. Despite the setback, Kim expressed confidence in her muscle memory and the effectiveness of her ‘very securely taped’ shoulder brace, noting it might even enhance her stability during runs.
Navigating Injury and Mental Health
Kim’s current physical challenge is not the first hurdle she has overcome in her career. Following her Beijing 2022 victory, she took a 22-month break from snowboarding, a period The New York Times described as an ‘unheard-of voluntary detox for a top athlete.’ During this time, Kim openly discussed her struggles with depression and dedicated herself to therapy and self-reflection. This sabbatical was crucial for her well-being, allowing her to rediscover her passion for the sport and mature as an individual. “It’s been a really beautiful journey to learn more about myself and kinda discover who I am as a 25-year-old now, proud owner of a frontal lobe,” Kim stated in Milan Cortina.
Her return to competition has been marked by continued success, including two more X Games gold medals, two World Cups, and a third world championship in 2025. This track record underscores her resilience and unwavering talent, even as she now navigates the added complexity of a shoulder injury.
The Halfpipe Competition and Rivals
The women’s snowboard halfpipe event at Livigno Snow Park features a competitive field, including fellow American teammates Bea Kim, Maddie Mastro, and Maddy Schaffrick. One of Kim’s most notable rivals is 17-year-old Gaon Choi from Korea, who has openly cited Kim as her idol. Kim, whose parents emigrated from Korea, has known Choi for years and views her emergence as a ‘full-circle moment,’ reflecting on her own rise to stardom at a similar age.
The competition schedule includes qualifying runs broadcast on NBC and USA Network, with streaming available on Peacock and NBCOlympics.com. Highlights of Kim’s performance will also be featured on NBC’s ‘Primetime in Milan.’ A gold medal performance under these circumstances, with a significant injury and a strong field of competitors, would arguably be the most remarkable accomplishment of Kim’s already illustrious career.
Chloe Kim’s sustained dominance and her ability to perform at an elite level while openly addressing personal challenges and physical setbacks underscore a new paradigm for athlete resilience and authenticity in professional sports.