Snowboarder Chloe Kim has confirmed her readiness for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics despite sustaining a labrum tear in her shoulder during a recent training session in Switzerland. With less than a month left before the competition, Kim faces a tight schedule to prepare for the event.
As the reigning Olympic gold medalist in the halfpipe discipline for the past two Games, Kim shared an update on Instagram regarding her injury. She mentioned that the tear in her labrum, the lining that stabilizes the shoulder joint, was not a surprise to her. Although she did not specify which shoulder was affected during her fall at the Laax Open preparation.
Expressing her disappointment at the limited snowboarding practice leading up to the Olympics, Kim remained optimistic about her condition. The women’s halfpipe event at the Olympics is set to kick off on February 11.
Kim, aged 25, is a prominent figure and a strong contender for victory in Italy if she can recover fully. She confirmed that she will not participate in the upcoming Laax competition and did not address her potential involvement in the Winter X Games in Aspen later this month, the final major event before the Olympics.
Having participated in only one competition this season at Copper Mountain, where she also suffered a shoulder injury, Kim showcased her fall in Switzerland through a video. The footage captured her losing balance on a jump landing in the halfpipe. Despite the setbacks, Kim remains positive and expressed excitement for the upcoming challenges.
In her Instagram video, Kim shared her experiences and emotions, including the discomfort of wearing a shoulder brace. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue her journey, even during challenging times. The video concluded with Kim picking up her boyfriend, Myles Garrett, a defensive end for the Cleveland Browns, at a train station.
Kim’s determination and resilience are evident as she prepares for the Winter Olympics, aiming to overcome her injury and deliver a stellar performance on the global stage.