US snowboarding star optimistic for Milan Cortina Olympics despite injury

American snowboarder Chloe Kim has shared an optimistic update on her status for the Milan Cortina Olympics.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist said she was “ready to go” for the competition despite the effects of a torn labrum in her shoulder. Kim was injured during a recent training in Switzerland.

The 2026 Games are set to begin in less than a month, giving Kim a short window to recover and pursue her third straight halfpipe gold medal. Kim won gold in 2018 in Pyeongchang and again in 2022 in Beijing.

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Chloe Kim of the United States trains before the women’s halfpipe final at the 2022 Winter Olympics on February 10, 2022, in Zhangjiakou, China. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, file)

In an update posted to Instagram on Tuesday, Kim said she wasn’t surprised to learn she tore her labrum, the lining of the socket that holds the shoulder together. She did not say which shoulder was injured in her fall while preparing for the upcoming Laax Open.

“There are two ways to do it, and the way I did it is less harsh than the other way, so I’m really happy with that,” she said. “Obviously I’m really disappointed that I won’t be able to snowboard until right before the Olympics, which is going to be tough. I haven’t done as many reps as I would have liked, but that’s OK.”

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The women’s Olympic half-pipe competition begins on February 11.

Kim, 25, already qualified for the U.S. team, would be the heavy favorite to win in Italy if she is healthy. She said she would not compete this weekend in Laax. She didn’t mention the Winter X Games in Aspen later this month, which is the last big competition before the Olympics.

Gold medalist Chloe Kim of the United States in action during the snowboard halfpipe competition at the FIS Snowboard, Freestyle and Freeski World Championships in St. Moritz, Switzerland, March 29, 2025. (Gian Ehrenzeller/Keystone via AP, File)

Kim has only competed in one competition this season – last month at Copper Mountain – and while warming up for the final there, she injured her shoulder.

Last week, she posted a video of her fall in Switzerland, which showed her crossing the halfpipe after losing her bearings while landing a jump. At that point, she said she had dislocated her shoulder and was not in much pain. An MRI last Friday revealed the labrum tear.

In her video, Kim said she will have to wear a “super sexy shoulder brace” that is uncomfortable.

“I’ve been through different waves of emotions, but honestly, I’m really excited for this week,” she said.

American snowboarder Chloe Kim poses for a photo during a Team USA photo shoot at Sunset Glenoaks Studios on May 21, 2025, in Sun Valley, California. (Harry Comment/Getty Images)

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At the end of the video, she picked up her boyfriend, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, from a train station. Earlier this month, Garrett broke the NFL’s all-time single-season sack record when he took on quarterback Joe Burrow in Week 18.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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