Chloe Kim, the celebrated American snowboarder and two-time Olympic gold medallist, is facing uncertainty regarding her participation in the upcoming Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The 25-year-old athlete dislocated her shoulder during a training session in Laax, Switzerland, earlier this week, raising concerns about her ability to defend her title in the halfpipe event.
The incident occurred while Kim was practicing at a renowned snowboarding facility, part of her preparation for the LAAX Open, a key pre-Olympic competition set for next weekend. She described the mishap as the result of the “silliest fall,” which was captured in a video she shared on social media. The footage shows her executing a jump successfully before losing her edge and tumbling face-first into the snow.
This news was made public on January 8, 2026, just a month before the Winter Games begin. If Kim competes and secures another gold, she would become the first female action-sports athlete to achieve a remarkable “three-peat,” winning three consecutive Olympic titles in the same event.
While Kim expressed optimism about her recovery, noting that she still has a full range of motion, the timing of the injury poses significant challenges. An MRI scan is planned to determine whether she will require surgery or if a swift rehabilitation program could enable her to compete in the qualifying rounds on February 11.
This isn’t the first setback Kim has encountered this season. In December 2025, she withdrew from the final of the Toyota US Grand Prix at Copper Mountain, Colorado, due to a shoulder injury sustained during warm-ups. Although that injury was not considered serious at the time, the recurrence of the dislocation raises concerns about the stability of her shoulder, particularly given the high-impact nature of her sport.
“The positive thing is, I have range, I’m not in that much pain,” Kim shared in an emotional Instagram video. “I just don’t want it to keep popping out, which has happened.” Despite her resilient spirit, Kim admitted to feeling uncertain about her Olympic status, experiencing “waves of emotions” as she navigates this challenging period.
Since her breakthrough performance at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympics, Kim has become a defining figure in international snowboarding. Her unique ability to execute complex tricks, such as the back-to-back 1080s and the first-ever 1260 landed by a woman at the 2024 Winter Games, has set her apart from her competitors. However, the physical demands of these maneuvers leave little margin for error when it comes to her upper body strength.
The international snowboarding landscape has grown increasingly competitive, with emerging talent eager to challenge Kim’s dominance. If she cannot return to peak form, the women’s halfpipe event could become more unpredictable.
As the US Ski & Snowboard team awaits the results of Kim’s MRI, no official replacement has been announced. Should she be cleared to compete, it is likely she will enter the Games without having completed a full competitive final this season, which could impact her performance.
For now, Kim is focusing on rest and recovery, working closely with her medical team to formulate a plan. In her lighthearted post-injury update, she quipped, “p.s. I think I am getting old.” The next few days will be crucial in determining whether one of the most compelling narratives in Olympic history will continue in Milan, or if it will take an unexpected turn amid the snowy clinics of Switzerland.
