> At a Glance
> – Two-time Olympic gold medalist Chloe Kim dislocated her shoulder training in Laax
> – She is unsure if she can compete at next month’s Winter Games in Italy
> – An MRI on Friday will determine the extent of the injury
> – Why it matters: Kim is chasing history as the first action-sports athlete to win three consecutive golds
Chloe Kim’s bid for a historic third straight Olympic gold is suddenly clouded after the snowboarder crashed on the halfpipe and dislocated her shoulder.
The Crash
Kim released footage of the spill that happened during a training session in Laax, Switzerland, the same venue hosting a crucial pre-Olympic contest later this month. She completed the jump cleanly but caught an edge and slid face-first down the pipe.
> Chloe Kim said:
>
> “It was the silliest fall.”
Injury Status
While Kim hasn’t specified which shoulder was hurt, she noted she retains range of motion and isn’t in severe pain. The problem is instability.
- The joint has repeatedly “popped out” since the crash
- She has an MRI scheduled Friday to learn if surgery or rehab is required
- Kim previously bruised the same shoulder in a warm-up fall at Copper Mountain last month
Road to the Games
Qualifying for women’s halfpipe begins Feb. 11, leaving a narrow window for recovery. Even if cleared, Kim could enter the Olympics without having raced in a single final this season.
| Upcoming Date | Event | Kim’s Status |
|---|---|---|
| Next weekend | Laax Open | Uncertain |
| Feb 11 | Olympic qualifying | TBD |
What’s at Stake
A healthy Kim would be the heavy favorite; victory would make her the first action-sports star to capture three straight Olympic golds. Shaun White owns three snowboarding golds but spread them across five Games.
Key Takeaways
- Kim’s light schedule this year already limited competitive prep
- The Laax Open was meant to be her final tune-up before Italy
- Any extended absence would remove one of the Games’ biggest headliners
A cautiously optimistic Kim insists her riding feels “really good,” but the looming MRI will decide whether her Olympic quest continues or pauses.
