Chloe Kim experienced disappointment at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina when a critical slip prevented her from achieving a historic third consecutive gold in the women’s halfpipe event. Despite tremendous support from NFL athlete Myles Garrett and her friend Snoop Dogg, Kim was overtaken by Korea’s Gaon Choi, settling for the silver medal instead.
Challenges Ahead: Injury and Determination
Having previously won gold in the 2018 Pyeongchang and 2022 Beijing Games, Kim entered this year’s competition carrying the weight of expectations while managing the aftermath of a difficult injury. In January, she revealed she had torn her left shoulder labrum during training in Switzerland, limiting her preparation right up until the Olympics began.
Myles Garrett’s Support Throughout the Journey
Myles Garrett, a prominent defensive end for the Cleveland Browns and Kim’s boyfriend for nearly a year, traveled from the San Francisco Bay Area to Italy to support her efforts despite having recently participated in the Super Bowl. His presence underscored his commitment during her bid to make Olympic history.
What This Means for Snowboarding and Kim’s Future
Kim narrowly missed becoming the first snowboarder to win three consecutive Olympic halfpipe titles, a feat no male or female athlete has accomplished before. Her performance, given the injury and fierce competition from Gaon Choi, still affirms her status as a leading figure in snowboarding. Looking ahead, the strong backing from Garrett and her resilience suggest she remains a formidable competitor in future events.
“”I just want to say how proud I am of Chloe’s bravery and dedication to come back from injury and compete against the world’s best.” – Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns defensive end
