American snowboarding star Chloe Kim, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and one of Team USA’s brightest hopes for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan, delivered stunning news to fans and the snowboarding world on January 8, 2026. In a candid video posted to her Instagram, Kim revealed she had dislocated her shoulder during a training session in Laax, Switzerland, less than a month before the Games are set to begin.
The injury, which Kim herself described as "the silliest fall," occurred on her second day of training ahead of the final World Cup at LAAX. According to Kim, she landed a trick cleanly but then attempted to snowboard up the face of the ramp, where her board caught in the snow. She crashed face-first into the wall, landing hard on her shoulder and sliding back down the pipe. The fall was captured on video and shared with her followers, offering a raw glimpse into the risks and unpredictability of elite snowboarding.
"And that ultimately resulted in me dislocating my shoulder," Kim said in her Instagram update. She added, "I’m trying to stay positive through these moments so difficult. I have gone through so many waves of emotions I literally have a migraine. The only thing I can do is rest/do everything in my power to come back as soon as possible." The snowboarder, who turned 25 this year, has an MRI scheduled for January 9, 2026, to assess the full extent of the damage and determine her path forward.
The timing of the injury couldn’t be more precarious. The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan are set to begin on February 6, with the women’s halfpipe qualifying round scheduled for February 11. Kim’s status for the Games is now uncertain, casting a shadow over what could have been a historic run. If she competes and wins, Kim would become the first person to claim three consecutive Olympic gold medals in women’s snowboard halfpipe—an unprecedented achievement in action sports. Shaun White, the legendary American snowboarder, also has three Olympic halfpipe golds, but his victories were spread across five Games.
Despite the setback, Kim’s optimism shone through in her messages. "The positive thing is, I have range, I'm not in that much pain, I just don't want it to keep popping out, which has happened," she explained. She continued, "I'm just trying to stay really optimistic. 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." Her determination and resilience have become hallmarks of her career, inspiring fans around the globe.
Kim’s injury in Switzerland follows another shoulder issue just weeks earlier at the World Cup in Copper Mountain, Colorado. In that December event, she qualified first but withdrew before the finals after a fall during training, citing an undisclosed injury. At the time, the injury was not believed to be serious, but it did interrupt her pre-Olympic preparations. Despite these setbacks, Kim’s dominance in the sport has been undiminished. She secured her spot on the U.S. Olympic team for Milano Cortina 2026 by winning the World Championships in Engadin, Switzerland, on March 29, 2025, capturing her third World Championship crown. She also notched victories in two World Cups during the 2024/25 season and claimed her eighth X Games halfpipe gold medal, burnishing her status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Kim’s journey to the top has been nothing short of remarkable. She burst onto the Olympic scene at just 17 years old, winning gold in the women’s halfpipe at the 2018 PyeongChang Games in her parents’ home country of South Korea. That performance made her the youngest woman ever to win an Olympic medal in the sport. Four years later, she repeated her golden feat in Beijing, cementing her reputation as an unstoppable force. Along the way, she became the first woman to land a double-cork 1080 and later a 1260-degree spin in competition, constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in women’s snowboarding.
Her accolades extend far beyond the Olympics. Kim is an eight-time X Games gold medalist in superpipe, and her innovative tricks have set new standards for the sport. She’s been open about the mental and emotional challenges that come with success at a young age, telling fans, "I’ve really just been focusing on my mental health and reminding myself why I wanted to do this in the beginning." This season, Kim kept a lighter competition schedule, focusing on her well-being and rediscovering her passion for snowboarding.
The Laax Open, scheduled for the weekend following her injury, was set to be a key pre-Olympic tune-up, featuring the world’s top snowboarders. With Kim’s participation now in doubt, the event—and the upcoming Olympics—could be missing one of their brightest stars. "Kim’s absence would deprive the Winter Games of one of its biggest names and one of its best storylines," noted AP, underscoring the significance of her potential absence.
Yet, the snowboarding world is holding its breath. Kim’s MRI results, expected after January 9, will determine whether she can mount a comeback in time for Milan. While she remains hopeful, she acknowledged the uncertainty, saying, "I don't have much clarity now." She emphasized her commitment to recovery and her desire to return as soon as she’s medically cleared: "I know that the minute I get cleared and good to go, I should be fine. I’m just hoping that doesn’t take too long."
For now, Kim’s fans, teammates, and competitors are left to wait and hope. The possibility of witnessing history—a three-peat by one of snowboarding’s most dynamic athletes—hangs in the balance. Kim’s journey, marked by dazzling highs and unexpected setbacks, continues to captivate the world. Whether she takes her place atop the halfpipe in Milan or not, Chloe Kim’s resilience and spirit have already secured her legacy as a trailblazer in her sport.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics approach, all eyes remain on Chloe Kim and the outcome of her MRI. The world wonders: will she defy the odds and return to chase snowboarding immortality? The next few weeks will tell the tale.
