LIVIGNO, Italy – Shaun White, the three-time Olympic gold medalist in snowboarding, made an emotional return to the halfpipe late Monday night at the Milan Cortina Games, despite retiring from competition after the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The run, filmed by NBC with no spectators present, came after the conclusion of Monday’s events and aired Thursday on “Primetime in Milan.”
“I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since I first competed in Torino in 2006 for my first medal,” White said, according to NBC. “It’s been a little bittersweet, but still sweet (watching instead of competing this year).”
White’s last Olympic appearance was in Beijing, where he finished fourth in the halfpipe, falling short of a podium finish. He previously won gold in the halfpipe at the 2006, 2010, and 2018 Olympic Games. He had been at the Milan Cortina Games working as a commentator for NBC and observing events like the women’s halfpipe final, where Chloe Kim competed.
As he prepared to descend into the halfpipe in Livigno, White confessed to having considered a return to competition. “I’d be lying to say I didn’t dream of potentially competing here,” he said. The run itself was described as flawless, eliciting a strong emotional response from White.
“That was amazing. I miss it. I miss it so much,” White stated after completing the run. “Man, what a night. I have to stop blubbering so I can get out of here.”
The moment resonated with fans online, with many expressing their sadness at his retirement and appreciation for his impact on the sport. One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “Oh I full on cried. I miss the excitement of getting to watch him compete. It was so fun having a local guy in the Olympics. The energy he had and how much he really changed this sport. It’s just not the same without him!” Another user commented, “Wish we would see other moments like this with all-time greats of sport. The human side of stepping away from something that you dominated for years.”
White, 39, has not announced any plans to return to competitive snowboarding. NBC has not indicated whether further segments featuring White’s reflections on the Games will be aired.
