The dream of a historic third consecutive Olympic gold medal for American snowboarder Chloe Kim hangs in the balance after she suffered a significant injury during training in Switzerland.
A Training Fall in Laax
Chloe Kim, the 25-year-old snowboarding sensation, dislocated her shoulder while practising in Laax, a key World Cup venue and a regular stop for athletes preparing for major events. The incident occurred just weeks before the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are set to begin in February 2026. Kim shared video of the fall, which showed her landing a trick cleanly before losing her edge, sliding across the halfpipe and into the wall.
Speaking on Thursday, Kim revealed the full extent of her uncertainty. "I don't have much clarity right now," she admitted, explaining that an upcoming MRI scan would determine the severity of the damage and her potential timeline for recovery. The scan is scheduled for Friday.
Race Against the Olympic Clock
With the Games less than a month away, the timing of this setback could not be worse for the champion. Kim is attempting to become the first woman ever to win three straight Olympic gold medals in halfpipe snowboarding. She first claimed the title at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games aged just 17, and successfully defended her crown four years later in Beijing.
Despite the dislocation, Kim noted some potentially positive signs. She reported that the shoulder was not causing severe pain and that she had maintained a good range of motion. Her primary concern, however, is joint instability, as the shoulder has reportedly popped out multiple times since the initial incident.
Emotional Resilience and Future Hopes
In an emotional Instagram post accompanying the training footage, Kim described riding "waves of emotions" but maintained a determined outlook. Her immediate focus is on rest and aggressive rehabilitation. "The only thing I can do is rest/do everything in my power to come back as soon as possible," she wrote, adding a light-hearted note: "p.s. I think I am getting old."
Kim's form prior to the injury had been exceptional, fuelling hopes for a swift return if medically cleared. She secured her spot on the US Olympic team last spring after winning the 2025 World Championship and finishing the season ranked number one globally. "I feel really good about where my snowboarding is at," she stated. "Once I'm cleared, I know I'll be ready."
The sporting world now awaits the results of her MRI, which will ultimately decide whether one of the Winter Olympics' most dominant athletes gets the chance to make history in Italy.
