American snowboarding star Chloe Kim has delivered a crushing blow to her fans, revealing a serious shoulder injury sustained in training mere weeks before the start of the Winter Games.
Training Fall Leads to Devastating Setback
The 25-year-old Olympic champion disclosed the news on Thursday, explaining she took a nasty fall during a training session in Switzerland. The incident resulted in a dislocated shoulder, putting her participation in Beijing under a significant cloud.
Kim shared a video of the fall on her Instagram, alongside a heartfelt message to her followers. "I hate that I have to make this video," she said. "I've been here for a couple of days, I'm currently in Switzerland and on my second day training I took the silliest fall."
She added, "And that ultimately resulted in me dislocating my shoulder. Just so fun. Trying to stay really optimistic. I think I don't have much clarity because I haven't had an MRI yet."
Awaiting Clarity and Battling Emotions
The athlete, who is hoping to defend her halfpipe gold medal, stated she should have a better understanding of the injury's severity after medical scans. She emphasised she is not in extreme pain but is concerned about the joint's stability. "Obviously I just don't want it to keep popping out," Kim noted.
Despite the physical and emotional turmoil, the snowboarder expressed confidence in her current form on the slopes. "I feel good about where my snowboarding is at right now," she affirmed.
In the caption of her Instagram post, Kim elaborated on the mental challenge, writing: 'trying to stay positive through these moments so difficult. I have gone through so many waves of emotions I literally have a migraine.'
The Road to Recovery Begins
Kim vowed to focus on her rehabilitation, stating, 'The only thing I can do is rest/do everything in my power to come back as soon as possible.' She thanked her supporters and promised to keep them updated, signing off with a poignant, "p.s I think I am getting old."
The timing of this devastating shoulder injury could not be worse for the champion snowboarder, with the world's biggest winter sports spectacle looming on the horizon. The sporting world now waits anxiously for further news on her MRI results and prognosis.
