> At a Glance
> – Chloe Kim dislocated her shoulder during a training run in Laax, Switzerland
> – The two-time Olympic gold medalist is uncertain about competing in next month’s Winter Games in Italy
> – An MRI on Friday will determine the severity of the injury
> – Why it matters: Kim is aiming to become the first action-sports athlete to win three consecutive Olympic golds
Snowboarding superstar Chloe Kim has suffered a major setback just weeks before the Winter Olympics, raising serious doubts about her ability to defend her halfpipe title in Italy.
The Injury
Kim shared footage of her fall on social media, showing her landing a jump cleanly before losing an edge and sliding across the halfpipe. The incident occurred during training in Laax, where top riders are preparing for the Laax Open – a key pre-Olympic event.
> “I dislocated my shoulder,” Kim said. “I’m trying to stay optimistic, but I don’t have much clarity now.”
Despite the injury, Kim said she still has range of motion and isn’t in severe pain. Her main concern is preventing further dislocations, which have occurred before.
Olympic Hopes Hang in the Balance
Kim, 25, was already dealing with a previous shoulder issue after a fall at Copper Mountain last month. That injury forced her to withdraw from the final, though it wasn’t considered serious at the time.
If cleared to compete, Kim would enter the Olympics as the heavy favorite. She has already qualified for the U.S. team and has been training with minimal competition this season. Qualifying for the women’s halfpipe begins February 11.
What’s Next
Kim has an MRI scheduled for Friday, which will determine whether she can compete. Even if cleared, she may head into the Olympics without having competed in a final this season.
Key Takeaways
- Chloe Kim dislocated her shoulder during training in Laax
- Her Olympic participation is now uncertain
- She previously withdrew from a competition due to a shoulder injury
- Kim is attempting to make history with a third straight Olympic gold
With just weeks until the Games, the snowboarding world now waits to see if its biggest star will be able to compete – and potentially make Olympic history.
