Chloe Kim Misses Chance at Historic Gold Medal Three-Peat

Chloe Kim falls short of a historic Olympic gold threepeat after battling injury, earning silver as 17-year-old Choi Gaon claims victory.

For a moment, it looked like history was inevitable. American snowboarder stood on the brink of becoming the first snowboarder ever to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals. Instead, on a snowy night in Italy, her quest for a threepeat ended in heartbreak and silver.

Competing in the women’s halfpipe in Livigno, Kim entered the finals poised to cement her legacy. The 25-year-old California native has long been one of Team USA’s brightest Winter Olympic stars. She burst onto the global stage at just 17 years old, capturing gold and instantly becoming a household name. She followed that performance with another gold four years later, building a résumé that includes three world championships, 12 World Cup victories, and eight Winter X Games titles.

But this year’s Olympic journey came with an added challenge a torn labrum in her shoulder. Kim was only able to train for two weeks leading up to the Games and has since confirmed she will require surgery.

Still, when competition began, she looked every bit the champion.

Kim opened with a strong first run, scoring 88 points and taking the top spot. Though she crashed on her second attempt, she remained within striking distance. Meanwhile, 17-year-old of South Korea endured a rollercoaster evening. One of her early runs was so rough she required medical attention mid-course, leaving spectators wondering whether she could even continue.

Then came the shock.

On her final run, Choi delivered a near-flawless performance, earning 90.25 points and vaulting into first place. With snow pounding the halfpipe, Kim’s last chance at gold slipped away when she fell on her final run, locking in a silver medal and ending her bid for a historic threepeat.

For context, only a handful of athletes across all Winter Olympic disciplines have ever achieved three consecutive gold medals in the same event. The physical and mental demands are staggering. Snowboarding, in particular, is unforgiving one minor mistake can mean the difference between first and fourth.

Despite the disappointment, Kim kept perspective.

“A month ago I wasn’t even sure I would be here,” she said afterward. “This medal means so much to me.”

Her journey underscores just how difficult elite competition can be. According to the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, the margin between podium finishes in major halfpipe competitions is often just a few points fractions that separate greatness from legend. At the Olympic level, where judging criteria include amplitude, difficulty, execution, and progression, the smallest wobble can cost everything.

Kim has always represented more than athletic dominance. The daughter of immigrants, she has frequently expressed pride in representing the United States on the world stage. While she has occasionally been drawn into political commentary surrounding fellow athletes, she has consistently emphasized unity and gratitude for the opportunities afforded to her and her family.

“I’m really proud to represent the United States,” she said. “The U.S. has given my family and I so much opportunity.”

Even in defeat, Chloe Kim’s Olympic performance adds another chapter to an already extraordinary career. Few athletes dominate a sport the way she has over the past decade. And fewer still manage to battle injury, brutal weather, and the pressure of history only to walk away with grace.

A silver medal may not have been the fairy-tale ending, but it remains a testament to her toughness and longevity in a sport that chews up and spits out even the most talented competitors.

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