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Chloe Kim entered the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics carrying the weight of history on her shoulders. The two-time defending halfpipe champion had a chance to secure an unprecedented third consecutive gold medal, a feat that would have further cemented her legacy as one of snowboarding’s all-time greats.
The 25-year-old looked every bit the favorite during Wednesday’s qualifying round, delivering a commanding 90.25 to finish first and build momentum heading into the final. Her dominance in qualification only heightened expectations as she prepared for Thursday’s medal event.
Kim came out firing in the final, posting an impressive 88.00 on her opening run. At that stage, she appeared firmly in control and poised to capture another gold. However, South Korea’s 17-year-old sensation Choi Gaon produced a sensational third and final run, earning a 90.25 to leapfrog Kim and claim the top spot on the podium.
Chloe Kim ultimately settled for silver, marking her third Olympic medal in as many appearances.
Team USA’s powerful message
Despite the narrow miss, Team USA made its stance clear with a strong and celebratory message following the result.
“she’s an icon, she’s a legend 🥈 @ChloeKim” Team USA posted on X.
The response underscored Kim’s lasting impact on the sport and her standing within American athletics. While the gold medal eluded her this time, the broader narrative remains one of excellence and resilience.
A legacy beyond gold
Kim’s journey to Milan Cortina was far from straightforward. After winning gold in Beijing in 2022, she stepped away from competition to focus on her mental well-being.
Her preparation for the 2026 Games was further complicated by a shoulder injury in late January that briefly cast doubt over her Olympic participation.
Even so, Chloe Kim delivered under immense pressure, adding another Olympic medal to her decorated résumé. Few athletes can claim three Olympic medals by the age of 25, and fewer still have reshaped their sport the way Kim has.
Though she fell short of rewriting the history books with a third straight gold, Chloe Kim’s silver medal stands as another testament to her greatness — and Team USA’s message made it clear that her legend remains firmly intact.
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