> At a Glance
> – Olympic champion Chloe Kim dislocated her shoulder during training
> – She is uncertain about competing in next month’s Winter Games
> – MRI scheduled Friday will determine extent of damage
> – Why it matters: Kim was aiming to become the first action-sports athlete to win three consecutive gold medals
Chloe Kim’s quest for Olympic history has hit a major obstacle. The two-time gold medalist announced Thursday that she dislocated her shoulder in training, casting doubt on her participation in the upcoming Winter Games in Italy.
The Training Accident
Kim shared footage of the fall on her halfpipe session in Laax, Switzerland. She landed a jump cleanly but lost an edge and slid across the pipe face-down.
The 25-year-old snowboarder did not specify which shoulder was injured. She described the incident as “the silliest fall” that resulted in a serious setback.
Current Status and Outlook
Despite the injury, Kim remains hopeful about her Olympic chances:
- She has range of motion in her shoulder
- Pain levels are manageable
- Main concern is preventing repeated dislocations
Kim stated:
> “I’m trying to stay 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.”
Road to Recovery
The timing couldn’t be more critical. Kim has an MRI scheduled for Friday that will reveal the full extent of her injury.
If cleared, she faces another challenge – potentially entering the Olympics without having competed in a final this season. The Laax Open, scheduled for next weekend, serves as a key pre-Olympic tune-up event.
Historical Context
Kim’s potential absence would be significant for multiple reasons:
- She would miss the chance to become the first action-sports athlete with three straight gold medals
- Shaun White won three golds, but his were spread across five Olympics
- She qualified for the U.S. team last year with a light competition schedule
The women’s halfpipe qualifying begins February 11, giving her a narrow window for recovery and preparation.
Key Takeaways
- Chloe Kim dislocated her shoulder in training this week
- MRI results Friday will determine if she can compete in Italy
- She previously injured the same shoulder at Copper Mountain last month
- Kim would enter Olympics as heavy favorite if healthy
- Qualifying for women’s halfpipe starts February 11
The snowboarding world now waits to see if one of its biggest stars can recover in time for Olympic competition.
