Chloe Kim, aiming for an unprecedented third Olympic gold in snowboarding, gracefully accepted her second-place finish and supported her rival Choi Ga-on, who took gold at the Winter Olympics qualifiers in Italy.
Chloe Kim, the 25-year-old American snowboarder, recently competed in the women's halfpipe finals at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, where she secured a 2nd place with a score of 88.00, missing the gold to South Korea's Choi Ga-on, who earned 90.25 points. Despite relinquishing her dream of a third consecutive Olympic victory, Kim's response was one of grace, as she genuinely celebrated Choi's win, acknowledging the pressure her younger rival posed as they competed. AP reported on the moment, highlighting Kim's role as an inspiring figure for younger athletes like Choi, who expressed deep respect for her as a role model.
During the finals, although Kim stumbled in the second and third runs and couldn't post scores above 90, she still executed challenging maneuvers, including a double cork 1080. Her competitive spirit remained intact as she did not lower her difficulty level, aspiring to push her limits even in a losing situation. As the results unfolded, Kim's sportsmanship shone through, showing her authenticity and ability to uplift others, particularly her joy in seeing Choi succeed.
Public interest around Kim was heightened during the competition, partly due to her relationship with NFL superstar Myles Garrett, who is known for being a dominant defensive player in the league. Kim's talent alongside the attention from her relationship has contributed to her media presence, making her story resonate not only in sports but also in popular culture as a symbol of grace under pressure and mentorship among competitors.
