Shaun White is arguably the most decorated and popular snowboarder that our generation has seen. His X-Games medals and ESPY awards are just some of his impressive accomplishments. He has mastered the sport’s most complicated tricks- such as the Double McTwist 1260, Cab Double Cork 1080 and the Double Back Rodeo- and has simply dominated the fields he has entered- half pipe, slope style, big air and quarter pipe.
The renowned athlete fell flat at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and he made it quite clear that his disappointment with his performance was a driving factor to thrive in this year’s games. However, White’s comeback was not an easy one. While practicing in October of 2017, White under-rotated on a trick and landed directly on his face at the top of the pipe and continued to fall to the bottom. The fall resulted in an air-lift to the hospital and 62 facial stitches.
White kept fans updated as his recovery played out and was determined to qualify for the 2018 games despite his scary crash.
With his dedication and a team of supporters, White qualified for the game and in a recent interview he said, “I feel great, it’s been such an amazing journey to get through qualifying and finally earn my spot, and then to be here is just unreal”.
So these Olympic Games are not just a platform to up his legendary status. The games are a way for Shaun White to redeem himself from his last visit to the Olympics and prove to the world that his love for snowboarding is greater than any injury.
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