The quest of American snowboarding superstar Chloe Kim for a historic third consecutive Olympic gold medal has hit a major roadblock. The champion suffered a dislocated shoulder during a training session in Switzerland, throwing her immediate qualification plans into uncertainty just weeks before a critical event.
Training Crash in Laax Sparks Concern
The incident occurred in Laax, Switzerland, a key training ground ahead of the upcoming Winter Games in Italy. Kim, aged 25, lost control early in a halfpipe run and slid down the slope, resulting in the painful injury. She shared a video of the crash on social media, expressing her frustration at the "silliest fall" that led to the serious outcome.
"I hate that I have to make this video," Kim said, addressing her fans directly. She confirmed the dislocation but did not specify which shoulder was affected. The athlete is currently awaiting a detailed medical evaluation, including an MRI scan scheduled for a Friday, to understand the full extent of the damage.
Race Against Time for Olympic Qualification
The timing of this setback is particularly challenging. A crucial Olympic qualification event is set for February 11, leaving Kim with a very tight window for recovery. Her participation in the upcoming Laax Open next weekend is now in serious doubt.
Despite the shock and pain, Kim is trying to maintain a positive outlook. "I don't have much clarity now," she admitted, but highlighted some encouraging signs. "The positive thing is, I have range, I'm not in that much pain, I just don't want it to keep popping out." She emphasized her current form, stating, "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."
Historic Three-Peat Ambition on the Line
This injury threatens a monumental career goal. Chloe Kim is aiming to become the first action sports athlete to win three Olympic gold medals in a row. She first captured the world's attention with her gold at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and defended her title brilliantly in Beijing 2022.
Her career has been defined by pushing the limits of women's snowboarding, including landmark achievements like being the first woman to land a 1260 in competition. She earned her spot on the current U.S. team by winning a major contest last year, though she has followed a lighter competition schedule this season.
This is not the first shoulder issue for Kim this season; she previously withdrew from a final in Colorado due to shoulder discomfort, though it was not deemed serious at the time. Her current priority is clear: "The only thing I can do is rest/do everything in my power to come back as soon as possible." In a lighter note, she joked about the realities of an athlete's career, adding, "p.s. I think I am getting old."
The snowboarding world now waits anxiously for the results of her MRI. Even if medically cleared, Kim may head to the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics without having reached a contest final this competitive season, making her path to a historic three-peat all the more dramatic.
