One of Team USA’s most accomplished athletes has recently faced a major setback ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Two-time Olympic gold medalist, Chloe Kim, the renowned snowboarder, announced on social media that she has dislocated her shoulder during a routine training session in Switzerland. This injury casts doubt on her participation in the upcoming Olympic games.
In a heartfelt Instagram video shared on January 8, Kim recounted the incident, describing her fall as the “silliest” of mishaps. She revealed her plan to undergo an MRI the following day to determine the extent of her injury. “I’m trying to stay really optimistic,” she said, adding, “The positive thing is I have range. I am not in that much pain. Obviously, I just don’t want it to keep popping out, which has happened.”
Who is Chloe Kim?
Chloe Kim, hailing from Torrance, California, made history by winning the gold medal in the snowboarding halfpipe event at the 2018 Winter Olympics at just 17 years old, becoming the youngest female athlete to medal in that discipline. Four years later, in 2022, she successfully defended her gold medal, solidifying her status as a leading figure in winter sports. Now, the burning question is whether she will have a chance to secure her third consecutive gold medal.
Watch Chloe Kim update her fans on her injury status here.
Will Chloe Kim compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
At this moment, Kim’s availability for the Olympics remains uncertain. Recovering from shoulder injuries can be tricky, as they often require significant time and caution to heal properly. The Mayo Clinic warns that “The greatest risk during healing for any shoulder dislocation is returning to activities before the shoulder is stable.” Prematurely resuming training can lead to re-injury or future dislocations.
The MRI results will provide crucial information about Kim’s condition. However, she faces a tight timeline, as the women’s Snowboard Halfpipe Qualifiers are set to begin on February 11, giving her approximately a month to recover from the dislocation.
In her Instagram update, Kim opened up about the emotional challenge she is currently facing: “Trying to stay positive through these moments [is] so difficult,” she shared, also revealing that she has experienced “so many waves of emotions” including migraines from the stress. “The only thing I can do is rest/do everything in my power to come back as soon as possible. Thank you all for supporting me on this wild journey! Will keep you posted.”
As she navigates this setback, fans and fellow athletes alike are rallying behind her, wishing her a swift recovery and hoping for her return to the slopes. The coming weeks will undoubtedly be a testing time for Kim, but her resilience and determination have always shone brightly, making her a true inspiration in the world of sports.