Snowboarder Chloe Kim has confirmed her readiness for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics despite sustaining a labrum tear in her shoulder while training in Switzerland last week. With less than a month left before the competition, Kim faces a tight timeline to prepare.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist in the halfpipe shared an update on Instagram, expressing her determination to compete despite the injury. Kim noted that while the injury was a setback, she is grateful that it was not as severe as it could have been. She did not specify which shoulder was affected during her fall at the Laax Open preparation.
Kim, aged 25, a strong contender for the Olympic title, has secured her spot on the U.S. team. She confirmed that she will skip the upcoming Laax event and did not mention her participation in the Winter X Games in Aspen, the final major competition before the Olympics.
Having participated in only one competition this season at Copper Mountain, Kim faced a similar shoulder injury during warm-up for the final. A recent MRI revealed the labrum tear following her fall in Switzerland, where she dislocated her shoulder.
The snowboarder shared her mixed emotions in a video post, mentioning the discomfort of wearing a shoulder brace. Despite the challenges, Kim expressed excitement for the upcoming events and adventures, showcasing a positive outlook amidst the lows she has experienced.
In a touching moment, the video concluded with Kim picking up her boyfriend, Myles Garrett, a defensive end for the Cleveland Browns, from a train station. Her post emphasized gratitude for the opportunity to continue pursuing her passion despite the hurdles she faces.