Valentino Guseli participated in the snowboard big air final at the Winter Olympics, where he finished 10th and narrowly missed out on a medal. Despite this setback, Guseli was triumphant in a personal sense, as he executed the first backside 1800 on snow since he sustained an ACL injury performing the same trick a year and a half ago in China. This achievement was monumental for him, marking a significant milestone in his recovery and return to the competitive scene.

The ACL injury had severely impacted Guseli's ability to compete, not allowing him to showcase his skills in big air, slopestyle, and his preferred half pipe events. Therefore, being able to reclaim the trick he feared pushed him away from the sport represented a profound personal victory. Guseli's journey through rehabilitation to reach this point has been challenging, and this performance in Livigno served not just as a competition but as a broader commentary on resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

This event illustrates the broader narratives often present in the Olympic experience, where athletes encounter both competitive pressures and personal challenges. Guseli's story is a testament to the physical and mental fortitude required to compete at such high levels, especially after undergoing significant injuries. He demonstrated that, while medals are the goal, personal victories can carry equal weight in defining an athlete's journey.