Chloe Kim Prepares to Defend Her Olympic Snowboard Title with One Healthy Shoulder
MILAN — Chloe Kim is gearing up to defend her Olympic title, despite facing the challenge of a shoulder injury. The two-time gold medalist, known for her prowess in the halfpipe, recently tore the labrum in her left shoulder during training, raising concerns about her goal of becoming the first athlete to win three consecutive Olympic snowboarding gold medals. However, at a news conference in Livigno, Italy, on Monday, Kim reported that she returned to the slopes two weeks ago and her shoulder is “feeling good.”
Interestingly, the injury may have enhanced her performance. “I feel like I’m not moving around as much,” Kim explained. “I feel like I’m much more steady because I literally can’t move this arm as much as I normally would.”
At 25, Kim’s potential to outdo her previous successes presents a daunting scenario for her competitors in the halfpipe event. She expressed confidence in her preparations, stating, “I feel really good about how I’m feeling physically and mentally, and I think that’s the most important right now. … I have all the pieces done and dialed so I just need to put everything all together.”
Teammate Maddy Schaffrick is also coping with a shoulder injury, having dislocated her right shoulder during a training session at Copper Mountain, Colorado, in December. Although Schaffrick did not require surgery, she found the mental aspect of managing her injury particularly challenging. “It was a matter of me riding confidently and kind of faking it till I made it,” she noted. Schaffrick shared that focusing on her overall riding rather than her shoulder allowed her to regain confidence in her abilities.
At 31, Schaffrick is set to make her Olympic debut after nearly a decade away from competitive snowboarding. Following burnout after turning pro at age 14, she transitioned into plumbing and later coaching, eventually earning a position as an assistant on the U.S. national team. Being surrounded by elite athletes like Kim has reignited her competitive spirit, and her former mentees relish the opportunity to compete alongside her.
“Maddy is the vibes on our team,” Kim said. “She always has the biggest smile on her face, such good energy, so positive. And I think that’s so special to have. So I’m really grateful that she’s here with us, because she always brightens my day.”
