Chloe Kim’s Winter Olympics Three-Peat in Doubt After Shoulder Injury in Training
LAAX, Switzerland — Chloe Kim, the American snowboarding sensation and two-time Olympic gold medalist, faces a daunting challenge as she recovers from a shoulder injury sustained during training that now threatens her pursuit of a third consecutive halfpipe gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The 25-year-old athlete, who has dominated the women’s halfpipe event since her breakout victory at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, suffered a dislocated shoulder after what she described as “the silliest fall” while practicing on the slopes of Laax, a renowned training site for winter sports athletes.
Kim shared footage of the accident earlier this week, showing a hard tumble followed by a slide across the halfpipe, underscoring the precarious nature of her injury. Although she did not specify which shoulder was affected, Kim expressed cautious optimism about her recovery, noting that she retained range of motion and was experiencing manageable pain. She is scheduled for an MRI to assess the full extent of the damage, a critical step in determining her readiness for the Olympic qualifying rounds.
“The positive thing is, I have range, I’m not in that much pain, I just don’t want it to keep popping out, which has happened,” Kim said. “I’m just trying to stay really optimistic. I feel really good about where my snowboarding is at right now, so I know the minute I get cleared and I’m good to go, I should be fine.” Her remarks highlight the uncertainty that now clouds her preparation for the Games, which begin in February.
Kim’s potential absence would be a significant blow to the Winter Olympics, depriving the event of one of its brightest stars and a compelling storyline. She is on the cusp of making history as the first action-sports athlete to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the same event. While snowboarding legend Shaun White won three halfpipe golds, his victories were spread across five Olympic Games.
Since her stunning debut as a 17-year-old in South Korea, where she became the youngest woman to win Olympic snowboarding gold, Kim has captivated audiences worldwide. She successfully defended her title at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, demonstrating remarkable poise amid intense media scrutiny and the pressures of fame. Beyond the Olympics, Kim has pushed the boundaries of her sport, becoming the first woman to land a 1260-degree spin in competition at the Winter X Games and pioneering complex tricks such as the double-cork 1080 and back-to-back 1080s.
Her injury comes at a critical juncture as she was preparing to refine her repertoire for Milan-Cortina, where she was widely regarded as the favorite to claim gold once again. The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, which oversees Team USA’s participation in the Games, has yet to release a detailed statement on Kim’s status, but her recovery will be closely monitored by coaches and medical staff.
Snowboarding’s halfpipe event is scheduled to begin with qualifying rounds soon after the Games open, and Kim’s ability to compete hinges on the results of her MRI and subsequent rehabilitation. Her situation underscores the inherent risks winter athletes face even during training, as they push the limits of their sport.
For more information on the Olympic schedule and athlete health protocols, visit the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the official Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics site. Updates on Kim’s condition and the halfpipe competition will also be available through the NBC Olympics coverage.
As Kim awaits her MRI results, the snowboarding community and fans worldwide hold their breath, hoping that the two-time Olympic champion can overcome this setback and add a historic third gold medal to her legacy.
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