How Chloe Kim Bounced Back from Injury to Compete at 2026 Olympics

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Chloe Kim’s 2026 Olympics journey almost ended before it even began.

As someone who follows the world of elite athletes, the buzz around Chloe was incredible – she’d already won two gold medals and was a huge favorite heading into the Milano Cortina Games. Honestly, we were all so excited for her! But then, just a few weeks before the Opening Ceremony, she announced an injury, and a wave of worry went through everyone. It was a really tough situation, and we were all hoping for the best.

The snowboarder shared in an Instagram video on January 8th that they dislocated their shoulder after a funny fall during their second day of training in Switzerland.

She said with a laugh, “I’m really trying to stay positive, but it’s hard to know what’s going on until I have an MRI.”

As she realized she might not make it to Italy, the 25-year-old became upset.

Despite being upset, she expressed hope for the future. She feels confident about her snowboarding ability and believes she’ll quickly be back to her best once she’s given medical clearance, though she’s eager for that to happen soon.

A few days later, Chloe happily announced she had both good and bad news. The bad news was that she had torn her labrum – the cartilage around her shoulder joint. However, the good news was that it was a less severe type of labrum tear than she could have had.

Although an injury limited her training leading up to the Olympics, the athlete from California remained focused and determined.

She mentioned in a video on January 13th that after years of experience, each season brings new difficulties. She sees this year as presenting its own unique set of hurdles, but she’s thankful to be on track for the Olympics.

She quipped, “I get to wear this really sexy shoulder brace.”

Just under a month later, Chloe arrived in Milan, prepared for her third Olympic Games. She’ll be competing in the halfpipe event, where she previously won gold medals at the 2022 Beijing Games and the 2018 Pyeong Chang Games.

Chloe shared on Instagram how surreal it felt to represent the United States at a competition for the third time. She said that if she could tell her younger self she’d achieve this, her younger self wouldn’t have believed it, and this experience felt particularly special.

She explained that her parents had moved from South Korea hoping to create a better life for their children. They gave up everything familiar so she and her sister would have the opportunity to achieve success in America, and she says she’ll always be grateful for their sacrifice.

She competes to honor her parents and the countless other Americans who came to this country seeking a better life.

Chloe shared that she wasn’t just representing her country, but also everyone who had bravely sought a better life here, bringing their hopes and dreams with them. She expressed pride in her background, her personal journey, and in representing a nation that thrives on diversity, respect, and optimism.

Chloe will kick off her quest for Olympic gold at the 2026 Games on February 11th. She’ll begin with her first qualifying run in the halfpipe at 4:30 p.m. local time.

For more of the Team USA athletes going for gold alongside Chloe, read on. 

Though Mikaela Shiffrin has already won three Olympic medals, she’s determined to perform better at her fourth Olympics. She faced setbacks at the 2022 Beijing Games and recently recovered from a serious crash in November 2024 where she injured her abdomen and needed surgery.

In a recent interview with TIME, Mikaela Shiffrin explained that she’s acutely aware of the unpredictable nature of competition. She understands that even with perfect preparation, success isn’t guaranteed. However, she feels strongly supported by her coaches and team, and believes that together, they’ll be able to overcome any challenges that arise. She says that’s all she can ask for.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following Mikaela Shiffrin’s journey, and it’s wonderful to see her personal life flourishing alongside her incredible career! For years, Norwegian skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde has been a key part of her support system, and now, they’ve taken things to the next level – they’re engaged! It’s so heartwarming to see these two alpine skiing stars building a life together.

He keeps telling me to stay positive and that everything will be alright,” she shared with Olympics.com. “Last season was really tough, and I often wondered if pushing myself to come back was too much, too soon, or even possible. But he reminded me that I know my own limits, that I’m giving it my all, and that it’s okay if it doesn’t work out.

After struggling with repeated knee injuries, Lindsey Vonn retired from competitive skiing in 2019. She was a five-time Olympian, achieving gold in downhill skiing and bronze in Super-G at the 2010 Winter Games, and another bronze in downhill at the 2018 Games.

After a successful partial knee replacement in 2024 finally relieved her pain – pain she’d lived with since her first knee surgery in 2013 – she started craving the thrill of speed again.

While he appreciates board calls and investing, the 41-year-old told NBC News in December that neither compares to the thrill of downhill skiing. He’s built a good life outside of the sport, and accepts that nothing will ever quite match it. He’s looking forward to enjoying these final moments of adrenaline, knowing he won’t be able to experience that feeling again.

Vonn’s crash during a World Cup race in Switzerland on January 30th was serious enough that she needed to be rescued by helicopter, and it seemed like it might end her attempt to return to competition.

Despite tearing her left ACL, the experienced athlete announced she’s healthy enough to race in the women’s downhill competition on February 8th in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Cortina is hosting skiing, snowboarding, and sliding events, while Milan will host skating and curling, among other sports. This comes after she previously stated she was prepared to risk it all to compete.

Speaking at a press conference on February 3rd, she declared her determination, saying, “I won’t let this opportunity pass me by. I’m staying strong and holding my head high, and I’ll give it everything I’ve got.”

Jessie Diggins, the most decorated American cross-country skier ever, is competing in what she says will be her last Olympic Games.

And the Afton, Minn., native is headed to Italy with a purpose.

In a recent Instagram post, the 34-year-old shared that they have the freedom to choose who they compete for and live according to their beliefs. They dedicated their efforts to those who show care and compassion to others, stating that these individuals inspire them and make them proud to represent their community. They hope to bring happiness to these supporters in the coming weeks.

After she retires, she shared with NPR’s All Things Considered that she’s looking forward to spending time gardening and, most importantly, being home with her husband.

At just 17, Stolz first competed in the Olympics in Beijing. Though he didn’t medal four years ago, he’s now a strong contender to win gold in several events at the Milan Cortina Games, including the 500, 1,000, and 1,500-meter races, plus the mass start race—a challenging 16-lap, 6,400-meter competition.

The 21-year-old athlete believes he has a strong chance of winning gold if he performs at his best. Speaking with the Associated Press in January, he said he feels prepared to handle the pressure, explaining that he’s experienced many high-stakes races before and doesn’t anticipate it being a problem, as long as things go smoothly.

Four years after winning gold in the 500-meter speed skating event at the Beijing Winter Olympics – making her the first Black American woman to medal in the sport and the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Games – Erin Jackson is returning to the 2026 Games as a flag bearer. She will share the honor with bobsledder Frank Del Duca during the Opening Ceremony on February 6th.

It’s a huge honor to represent the United States internationally,” said the 33-year-old from Ocala, Florida. “This isn’t just about me; it’s about my family, teammates, hometown, and all Americans who believe in the power of sports.”

Although she’s not retiring immediately, Jackson plans to launch an organization dedicated to supporting young Black athletes who want to compete in speed skating.

She emphasized the importance of seeing people like yourself succeed, something that’s historically been lacking in winter sports, especially speed skating. She feels a strong sense of responsibility to be a role model and inspire others to try the sport, and she’s dedicated to making that happen.

Kim sustained a minor labrum tear in January after dislocating her shoulder during training in Switzerland, but the injury won’t prevent her from competing in her fourth Olympics. There, she’ll aim to add to her impressive record by winning her third gold medal in the women’s halfpipe event.

The 25-year-old from Torrance, California, expressed disappointment in a video posted on January 13th that she won’t be able to snowboard again until just before the Olympics, which will make preparation difficult. She acknowledged she hasn’t had as much practice as she’d hoped, but remains optimistic.

She anticipates a relaxed preparation period leading up to the 2026 Games. In a January 22nd interview with NBC Olympics, she explained she was currently at home and planned to travel to Europe early the following week for some training before heading to Milan for the event.

And once she was there, she’d be fired up and ready to go—just like everyone else.

It’s hard to put into words what it’s like,” said Kim, a snowboarder since age four, “but it feels like everyone becomes the best version of themselves.

Gerard first won a gold medal in slopestyle at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics when he was 17 years old. Now, as a two-time X Games champion, he’s aiming to carry that success into his third Olympic Games.

The 25-year-old, originally from Ohio and now living in Colorado, told People magazine in January that she still feels young and in great shape. She also shared how much she enjoys being a veteran member of Team USA, having been involved since age 13, and being able to mentor the newer, younger athletes with her experience.

Gerard explained how he handles the pressure of the Olympics: he focuses on treating it like any other competition. He acknowledges it’s a much larger event with more attention, but ultimately, the snowboarding itself doesn’t change. He tries to stay focused on his own performance and approach it as he always has throughout his career.

The 31-year-old snowboarder is aiming for gold at his third Olympic Games, hoping to add to his previous silver (2018) and bronze (2022) medals.

Skier Ferreira believes this is his year to win a gold medal. He told the Daily Express that he’s entering the competition healthy for the first time, unlike his previous two attempts where he was injured – he broke his collarbone weeks before one games and sprained his ankle before the other. He feels more prepared now, being older and incredibly focused.

Beyond his sister Lourdes and his athletic parents – Marcelo, a former soccer player from Argentina, and Colleen, a competitive runner – he also has a rescue dog named Brandy by his side.

What I love most about my dog, Brandy, is that she doesn’t care about accomplishments or recognition. She just greets me with a wagging tail when I come home, and she’s there for me through everything – the good times and the bad. I truly rely on her.

Hall is competing in his third Olympics, returning as the gold medalist in slopestyle. This comes four years after he placed 16th in the same event at the 2018 Games, and represents a significant improvement in his performance.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’m really following this athlete’s journey! He’s hoping to defend his gold medal in slopestyle, which he still keeps tucked away in his sock drawer – can you believe that?! He’s also determined to do better than his eighth-place finish in Big Air from 2022, and honestly, I think he’s got what it takes. He’s a really grounded guy, and that mentality will serve him well.

In an interview with POWDER magazine in October 2025, Hall expressed his enthusiasm for the return of the Olympics to Europe, noting the promise of excellent skiing conditions and impressive mountain scenery – something the last two Olympics lacked. He also shared a personal connection to the upcoming games, as his mother is from Bologna, Italy, and many of his family members who still live there will be attending. He described it as a ‘pretty sweet’ experience to have them involved.

The 29-year-old freestyle skier is competing in her third Olympic Games and hopes to build on the silver medal she won in Beijing.

She always knows who to ask for help, whether it’s about getting better at her sport or dealing with the stress of competing on the world stage.

Patti Sherman-Kauf is a decorated athlete: she won two championships on the World Pro Moguls Tour, even competing while pregnant with her daughter, and her husband, Scott Kauf, won five titles. After retiring from mogul skiing, Patti excelled in skicross, earning three bronze medals at the X Games.

Jaelin wasn’t like most babies when she was born; she preferred being bounced instead of rocked, according to her mother, Patti, in an interview with NBC Olympics.

Jaelin admitted that she didn’t initially love mogul skiing. She told Teton Gravity Research in November 2025 that she’d always prefer a day with fresh powder. However, watching her parents build careers as professional skiers showed her it was possible for her too. She realized not everyone has that example or support, but she always believed she could pursue it.

Team Jaelin also includes her boyfriend, Bradley Wilson, a two-time Olympic skier who is now retired, and his brother Bryon Wilson, who won an Olympic bronze medal and currently coaches Kauf.

Humphries’ journey has had more twists than a bobsled run.

Originally from Calgary, this 40-year-old athlete represented Team Canada in two-woman bobsled and achieved Olympic success, winning gold medals in both 2010 and 2014, and a bronze medal in 2018.

In 2019, she surprised everyone in the sports world by announcing her departure from the Canadian national team after 16 years. She explained that she was concerned for her safety due to a harmful atmosphere within the team leading up to the 2018 Olympics.

Humphries became part of the U.S. team in 2019, but she told the Associated Press then that she still considered herself Canadian and didn’t want to choose between the two nationalities.

She clarified that her affection for Canada hasn’t faded, but she’s also capable of loving someone and something else equally. Having lived in the U.S. for four years, she found love – and married an American. Now, life has presented them with new opportunities, requiring them to make some difficult decisions.

Elana Humphries became a U.S. citizen in 2021 and then made history by winning gold in the very first monobob event—a one-person bobsled race—at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

This will be her fifth Olympic Games, and the first since becoming a mother. She and her husband, Travis Armbruster, welcomed their son, Aulden, in June 2024.

For years, people have said that having a baby means an athlete’s body will change, their performance will decline, and their career is essentially over. As Humphries told The Athletic, the traditional belief was that motherhood and competitive sports just didn’t mix. But she and other athletes are now demonstrating that it is possible to have both a family and continue competing at a high level.

For five-time Olympian, bobsledding is now her personal escape. Since becoming a mother to her sons, Nico in 2020 and Noah in 2022, she finds time for herself through the sport. Nico has Down syndrome, and both boys are deaf – a condition caused by a genetic trait both parents unknowingly shared until Nico’s birth. Her husband is Nic Taylor.

Even though her home life was incredibly busy, Meyers Taylor really wanted her children to see what she did at work.

“The challenges they’ll face are beyond what I can imagine,” the 41-year-old shared with The Athletic. “I hope they learn that even when things get hard, you can still chase your goals. I want them to see my successes, like winning medals. But it’s also important they see me struggle, fall, and keep fighting to get back on my feet.”

Although Kaillie Meyers Taylor has won five Olympic medals – four in two-woman bobsled and a silver in monobob at the 2022 Games – she’s still hoping to earn her first gold medal.

Skeleton racing is undeniably cool – it involves speeding headfirst down an icy, winding track on a small sled, reaching speeds of up to 90 mph.

Ro, who became the first American to win a medal in skeleton at the IBSF World Championships in 12 years back in 2025, initially didn’t believe she’d actually won.

She remembers her first time trying skeleton in 2016 vividly. After being told she was too small for bobsledding, she went to the top of the track with a coach, and everything happened incredibly fast. ‘I couldn’t see or think,’ she told The Athletic. ‘When I reached the bottom, I was finished – I knew I’d never do that again!’

But after listening to enough people rave about how cool it was, she tried it again.

Ten years after starting her journey, the athlete from Virginia is now competing in her first Olympics. She’ll be participating in both individual events and the new mixed team event, which is being introduced at the 2026 Games.

Outside of training and competition, Ro works as a tour guide at the Lake Placid Olympic Center. She’s one of many athletes who takes on a second job to make ends meet. Ro is the second oldest of eleven children, and has a twin sister who is fourteen minutes younger than her.

She described being fully immersed in her training environment, saying it’s her life. The tours she gives to visitors are popular because she offers a special, insider’s view as an athlete. However, she added that the income from tours isn’t enough to fully fund her athletic pursuits.

Oh my gosh, you won’t BELIEVE this! Ilia Malinin basically has ice skating in his DNA – both his parents were amazing figure skaters from Uzbekistan! He started skating when he was just six, but honestly? He was a total soccer kid at heart! He’d rather be outside playing in Virginia than freezing in an arena, which is SO relatable, even for a future champion! It’s just… incredible to think about now, seeing how far he’s come!

At age 17, he achieved a historic first in the 2022 CS U.S. International Classic by successfully landing a fully rotated quadruple axel – a feat no other skater has replicated in international competition as of today.

Ilia Malinin, known as the “Quad God,” has successfully landed four quadruple jumps in a single program several times. With Nathan Chen, previously called the “Quad King,” not competing in the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, Malinin is currently the top U.S. male skater with a strong chance of winning another individual gold medal.

Four years after not making Team USA, the 20-year-old is now concentrating on preparing himself to perform well.

As a competitor, I’ve learned that focusing on the prize – the medals – actually isn’t what gets me through a performance. For me, it’s all about the process. I concentrate on delivering a strong skate and doing my job to the best of my ability. I really prioritize preparation, so when I step onto the ice, I feel confident and ready to perform. Honestly, when you nail the performance and skate cleanly, the medals tend to take care of themselves!

After competing in the Beijing Olympics and World Championships – where she earned a bronze medal – Liu retired from competitive skating in 2022.

Liu explained to NBC News that she began her training at age five and continued until she was sixteen. Being homeschooled her entire life, she realized she was a very social person who needed connection with others. However, she spent many years training in isolation, without family or friends nearby.

She explained that she had very little control over her training and appearance, often being put in outfits she disliked. She felt she was treated like a doll, forced to participate in the Olympics not for her own enjoyment, but out of a sense of obligation to the younger version of herself.

After starting her studies at UCLA in the fall of 2023 and enjoying a typical college experience, she rediscovered her competitive spirit during a ski trip in January. By March 2024, she was officially competing again. The 20-year-old Californian then went on to win a gold medal at the 2025 World Championships and is now aiming to win a medal – and ideally another gold – at the 2026 Games, ending the 20-year drought for American women in the event.

When she takes the ice now, “it’s fully for myself,” Liu explained. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool.”

These partners are competing in their fourth Olympic Games, and it’s their first time competing as a married couple, having wed in June 2024.

In December, Chock told TopMob News that getting married strengthened their relationship and dedication to their sport. They already had a strong connection through skating, but marriage has allowed them to truly work together as partners, supporting each other in everything they do, both on and off the ice.

Although they helped the U.S. figure skating team win gold at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, the three-time world champion pair haven’t yet earned an Olympic medal of their own.

You know, running a business is demanding – it takes a lot of effort and long hours. But honestly, through it all, I’m just incredibly thankful for every single day and the chance to do what I love.

Although both the 36-year-old skater and his 33-year-old partner haven’t announced their retirement, they recognize they’re nearing the end of their competitive careers.

At the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Bates told NBC Olympics that they were trying to stay focused and not get overwhelmed by the emotion of the event and their 15-year partnership. They wanted to perform well, but also savor the moment, recognizing it might be their last competition. Winning gold felt like the best possible reward.

The experienced U.S. women’s hockey player, a gold medalist in 2018, has announced that the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics will be her last. At 36 years old, she’ll become the first American hockey player – male or female – to compete in five Olympic Games.

Although winning another gold medal would be fantastic, Knight emphasized to Today.com that many of her teammates are first-time Olympians. She’s focused on ensuring everyone feels comfortable and can perform at their best. She believes that getting all of her talented players to reach their full potential will be key to the team’s success and lead to an exceptional performance.

A University of Wisconsin graduate, this athlete currently plays for the Seattle Torrent as a star forward, based in Washington. However, she and her partner, Brittany Bowe—a veteran speed skater and the oldest member of the U.S. team—have made Salt Lake City their home. Bowe will be competing in her fourth and final Olympic Games shortly before turning 38 on February 24th.

Speaking to NBC Olympics in June 2025, Knight explained that as elite athletes, they’re attuned to what others need – whether it’s encouragement or a little distance. She added that their long experience at the highest level allows them to connect with and understand each other well.

This mixed doubles curling team, paired up after the 2022 Beijing Olympics, is heading to their first Games together. They previously placed fifth at the 2025 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship and won a world championship in 2023. They believe their success is due to both their skill and how well their personalities mesh.

Ahead of the Milan Cortina Games, 30-year-old Dropkin explained to reporters that she and her teammate have a strong connection. “We just work really well together, staying relaxed and focused on the present,” she said. “We also have great chemistry as people. Someone recently described us as ‘the calm and the fire’ – Cory is calm and confident on the ice, while I bring a lot of energy and passion. That combination really works for us.”

Oh my gosh, he and his wife, Thiesse—who I’m so happy is married to Sam Thiesse since June 2022—live in Duluth, Minnesota! It’s amazing because they both have regular jobs just to make their curling dreams possible. They’re so dedicated, it’s incredible!

Dropkin works in real estate, and Thiesse is a lab technician who tests wastewater for mercury. Thiesse shared with Duluth’s ABC 10 that she’s thankful to have a stable job that allows her to pursue her passion for curling, something she and her teammates have dreamed of since childhood.

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2026-02-11 11:20