American snowboarding superstar Chloe Kim stands on the brink of Olympic history as she prepares for Thursday's women's halfpipe final at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The 25-year-old, already a two-time gold medalist in the event, could become the first snowboarder ever to win three consecutive Olympic titles—a feat not even the legendary Shaun White accomplished. Kim's quest comes just weeks after a serious shoulder injury threatened her participation entirely, and with the support of her NFL star boyfriend Myles Garrett cheering from the stands in Livigno.
How Chloe Kim Dominated Qualifying Despite Injury
In her first competition since tearing the labrum in her left shoulder during a training run in Switzerland last month, Kim showed no signs of limitation during Wednesday's qualifying round. She posted a commanding score of 90.25 on her first run, a mark that held up through the second round to secure the top spot among 24 riders. "I feel good. Happy to be here," Kim told Olympics.com after her performance. "There is definitely a lot of pressure, but I do think that the Olympics are so special because we have so much support globally."
Kim's American teammate Maddie Mastro qualified third with a score of 86.00, while Japan's Sara Shimizu took second place, setting up a competitive final where both will look to prevent Kim from making history. The California native has competed with a shoulder brace throughout the Games but reported positive progress: "It hasn't popped out since it happened, which is awesome. I feel like it's trending towards the right direction. I will need surgery after this event, though."
From Injury to Olympic History: The Road to Livigno
Kim's path to these Games nearly derailed in January when she suffered a dislocated shoulder while training in Switzerland. The injury—a torn labrum—required immediate medical attention and cast doubt on her ability to compete in Milan Cortina. "For a little bit, a couple of months ago, it wasn't looking too certain," Kim admitted. After being cleared to compete, she focused on rehabilitation and modified training, emphasizing technical precision over risky maneuvers.
The timeline of Kim's Olympic journey reveals remarkable consistency: At 17, she became the youngest woman to win Olympic snowboarding gold in PyeongChang 2018. Four years later in Beijing, she successfully defended her title despite taking a break from competition to focus on her mental health. Now at 25, with eight X Games gold medals and three world championships already to her name, Kim approaches what could be her most significant achievement yet. "I'm really happy with who I've become," she reflected. "Going into these Games, I felt really at ease and calm. I know what I'm here to do."
Why a Three-Peat Would Redefine Snowboarding History
If Kim secures gold on Thursday, she would accomplish something no snowboarder has ever achieved: three consecutive Olympic titles in the same event. Shaun White won three gold medals in halfpipe (2006, 2010, 2018) but not consecutively. Kim's potential three-peat would place her among the greatest Olympic snowboarders of all time and solidify her status as the most dominant women's halfpipe rider in history.
"I'm just going to do what I came here to do, and if they decide to give it to me, then awesome," Kim said with characteristic humility. "But I'm really just grateful to be in the position where I've won all these events multiple times. The fact that I'm able to be here and riding and being confident is all I can ask for." Experts note that Kim's technical difficulty—including her signature back-to-back 1080s—combined with her competitive maturity make her the favorite despite the injury concerns.
Myles Garrett's Support Adds Personal Dimension to Olympic Quest
Adding to the storyline is the presence of Kim's boyfriend, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, who traveled to Italy after winning his second NFL Defensive Player of the Year award earlier this month. The couple, who went public with their relationship in November 2025 after meeting at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, have become one of sports' most talked-about cross-sport pairings.
"She's going to do it. She's the best," Garrett told ESPN after watching Kim's qualifying run. The NFL star posted video of Kim's performance to his Instagram story with a green check mark and praying hands emoji, adding a heart sticker. Garrett's support extends beyond social media—he rearranged his postseason schedule to be in Livigno, telling People magazine, "I finish up here Sunday, get back for about 12 hours, and then I hit the road and go to see her."
Kim, who grew up in a Korean-American household that didn't follow American sports, admitted she initially had no idea who Garrett was. "I actually don't know many, many athletes. Like I know Tom Brady and LeBron James. That's my extent, that's all I know," she told USA Today in December. "But now I'm all about it. Myles is such an incredible athlete. I'm constantly inspired and in awe of him and how hard he works and how incredibly kind he is."
What Happens Next in Chloe Kim's Historic Bid
The women's snowboard halfpipe final is scheduled for Thursday afternoon at Livigno Snow Park, with Kim scheduled to drop last—a position of advantage that allows her to see her competitors' scores before her final run. Weather conditions are expected to be favorable, with clear skies and temperatures conducive to optimal snowboarding performance.
Kim will face stiff competition from Shimizu, who has pushed her in recent World Cup events, and Mastro, her teammate who knows her riding style intimately. However, most analysts consider Kim the favorite if she can land her most difficult combinations while managing her shoulder discomfort. The final consists of three runs, with the best score determining the medalists.
The Bottom Line: Key Points to Remember
• Chloe Kim qualified first for the women's snowboard halfpipe final with a score of 90.25 despite a torn labrum in her shoulder
• A victory would make her the first snowboarder to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the same event
• NFL star Myles Garrett, Kim's boyfriend and the 2025 Defensive Player of the Year, is in Italy supporting her
• American teammate Maddie Mastro qualified third, while Japan's Sara Shimizu took second
• Kim, 25, has won gold at the last two Olympics (2018, 2022) and is an eight-time X Games champion
• The final takes place Thursday at Livigno Snow Park, with Kim scheduled to make her final run last
As the snowboarding world watches, Chloe Kim represents not just American hopes for gold but the possibility of Olympic history. Her journey—from teenage phenom to mature champion, from injury uncertainty to qualifying dominance, and now to the brink of a unprecedented three-peat—encapsulates the drama and achievement that define the Winter Olympics at their best.
