Kim's Laax Halfpipe Crash Puts Olympic Bid in Question Ahead of Qualifying
Kim crashed in Laax during a halfpipe run; MRI is Friday as she pursues a third straight Olympic halfpipe gold with qualifying on February 11.
PBS NewsHour2-time Olympic champion Chloe Kim injures shoulder, 'trying to stay optimistic' for Italy
The GuardianChloe Kim’s Olympic three-peat bid in doubt after dislocated shoulder
The GuardianChloe Kim’s Olympic three-peat bid in doubt after dislocated shoulder
Boston Herald2-time Olympic champion Chloe Kim injures shoulder, ‘trying to stay optimistic’ for Italy
Overview
Kim, 25, posted video of a Laax halfpipe fall while preparing for an important pre-Olympic event; she landed a jump then lost her edge and struck the pipe wall.
She is scheduled for an MRI Friday to determine injury severity; she withdrew from Copper Mountain final after a shoulder injury during warmups last month, prompting team monitoring.
Kim is aiming to become the first action-sports athlete to win three consecutive Olympic halfpipe golds; Shaun White won three halfpipe golds across five Games, underscoring the feat's rarity.
She broke out at the 2018 Olympics, winning gold in South Korea as a teenager; she later became the first woman to land a 1260-degree spin and a double-cork 1080.
Kim qualified for the U.S. team by winning a selection contest last year and kept a light 2025–26 schedule; the women's halfpipe Olympic qualifying round is February 11.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Chloe Kim's injury story with a focus on her resilience and optimism. They highlight her positive outlook despite the setback, using terms like "trying to stay optimistic" and "chilling for the next little while." The narrative emphasizes her past achievements and potential historic "three-peat," creating a hopeful tone despite the uncertainty of her Olympic participation.