Chloe Kim says she’s “good to go” for the Milan Cortina Olympics after tearing her labrum in a training crash last week in Switzerland.
At a Glance
- Two-time gold medalist tore shoulder lining during a training run in Switzerland
- She will miss this weekend’s Laax Open and likely the Aspen X Games
- Women’s Olympic halfpipe contest starts February 11
- Why it matters: Limited on-snow prep could test her bid for a third gold
The 25-year-old, already qualified for the U.S. team, revealed the injury Tuesday in an Instagram video. Kim did not specify which shoulder she hurt when she fell while preparing for the season’s final major contest before the Games.
Injury Details and Recovery Plan
“There are two ways to do it, and the way I did it is less severe than the other, so I’m really happy about that,” she told followers, referring to the type of labrum tear. The labrum is the cartilage lining that stabilizes the shoulder socket.
Kim added:
- She must wear a “super-sexy shoulder brace” that feels uncomfortable
- She cannot snowboard until shortly before the Olympics
- She has not logged nearly the reps she wanted this season
Despite the setback, she struck an upbeat tone: “Obviously, I’m really disappointed that I can’t snowboard until right before the Olympics, which is going to be hard. I haven’t gotten nearly the amount of reps that I would have liked, but that’s OK.”
Limited Competition Schedule
This season Kim has entered only one event-last month’s Copper Mountain contest-where she also hurt her shoulder while warming up for the final. She now faces a second prolonged break from riding.
| Event | Status |
|---|---|
| Laax Open, Switzerland | Withdrawing |
| Winter X Games, Aspen | Not mentioned; unlikely |
| Olympic halfpipe qualifier | Already qualified |
| Olympic competition | Starts February 11 |
Kim remains the heavy favorite to win in Italy if healthy, according to Jordan M. Lewis. She captured gold at both the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and the 2022 Beijing Games, becoming the first woman to repeat as Olympic halfpipe champion.
Emotional Rollercoaster
In the video Kim admitted cycling “through a bunch of different waves of emotions” but finished on optimism: “Honestly, I’m really excited for this week.”
The clip ends with her picking up boyfriend Myles Garrett, the Cleveland Browns defensive end, at a train station. She captioned the post: “I’m so grateful to be able to do this even though the lows can get pretty damn low. Excited for a week of exploration!”
Garrett recently praised Kim’s competitive mindset in an interview with News Of Philadelphia, citing her drive and focus as traits he admires most.
What Comes Next
Kim plans to rehabilitate the shoulder while staying off snow until just before Team USA heads to Italy. Medical staff have not publicly detailed a timeline, but the injury’s classification as the less-severe version offers hope for a rapid return to full strength.
Qualification for the U.S. squad is already locked in, so Kim can center her preparation on fine-tuning tricks and regaining contest rhythm once cleared to ride. With less than three weeks until the women’s halfpipe final, every training day counts.
Key Takeaways
- Chloe Kim tore her labrum but considers the damage relatively minor
- She will skip the Laax Open and possibly the X Games
- Olympic competition begins February 11; Kim remains a top medal contender
- Limited on-snow time could test her triple-cork combinations and amplitude
- Support from boyfriend Myles Garrett highlights her off-hill support system
