American snowboarder Chloe Kim's pursuit of a three-peat at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics will officially begin this Wednesday.
Kim made history during the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, becoming the youngest woman to win a gold medal in the halfpipe event. She backed up her achievement by winning a second gold medal in the halfpipe during the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
Now, Kim will try to win the halfpipe event despite suffering a torn labrum in her shoulder during a training run in January.
"There are two ways to do it, and the way I did it is less severe than the other, so I'm really happy about that," Kim said, via the Associated Press. "Obviously, I'm really disappointed that I can't snowboard until right before the Olympics, which is going to be hard. I haven't gotten nearly the amount of reps that I would have liked, but that's OK."
© Jack Gruber-Imagn Images.
Kim, 25, will be in the spotlight this Wednesday when the qualification runs for the halfpipe begin at 4:30 a.m. ET. The halfpipe final, meanwhile, will take place at 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Before the spotlight firmly shined on Kim this week, a photo of her training for the Olympics went viral on Instagram.
Check it out:
Representing Team USA with pride.
Prior to the start of the 2026 Winter Games, the two-time Olympic medalist posted a heartfelt message about her heritage on Instagram.
“My parents left South Korea in search of a better future for their family. They left behind everything they knew so that my sisters and I could have the chance to one day live the American dream. Their sacrifice is one I will never take for granted. So when I stand at the top of the halfpipe, competing on the biggest stage in sport, I do so with immense pride. I am representing my country but I am also representing those who took a leap of faith, who came to this beautiful nation carrying hopes, dreams, and courage,” Kim wrote. "I am proud of my heritage. I am proud of my journey. And I am proud to represent a country that is strongest when it embraces diversity, dignity, and hope. GO TEAM USA!!"
There's no doubt countless Americans will be cheering for Kim this week.