As the 2026 Olympics continues, Chloe Kim is one of the names emerging from the pack. Kim is a professional snowboarder and two-time Olympic gold medalist, and during the 2018 Winter Olympics, she accomplished a great feat by becoming the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboarding gold medal. But, at the Milan Games, her medal is drawing controversy.
But, Kim’s dream of winning three gold medals fell short on Thursday, February 12, while competing in her third Winter Olympics. She was hoping her third consecutive gold medal in the women’s halfpipe after winning it in both 2018 and 2022. With her first two runs in Milan, Italy, she seemed on track to get that third gold, but then 17-year-old South Korean athlete Gaon Choi prevailed and took the top spot.
So, Choi took the gold, Kim settled for the silver and Mitsuki Ono of Japan secured the bronze. Now, Kim’s silver medal is causing a bit of a stir.
Viewers Think Chloe Kim Was Robbed of a Gold Medal in 2026 Olympics
Following the silver result, viewers took to social media to voice their thoughts. “Chloe Kim was robbed. She’s held to such a higher standard than the rest it’s unfair,” one said on X.
“No way the Olympic judges aren’t trying to deny the US. Because how on earth is Chloe Kim not the gold medalist?” one more added. “Chloe Kim should have gotten the gold,” another said.
Others were simply supportive. One follower commented, “Winning silver after two golds proves her greatness never fades. Chloe Kim true inspiration.” Another said, “Chloe Kim was so close to Gold as she shredded the half pipe.”
Either way, Kim did the classy thing and after she finished her final halfpipe run and got second place, she made her way over to honor Ga-on for winning gold.
Chloe Kim Came Back From an Injury to Appear in the Winter Olympics
One month before the games, Kim injured herself, so getting a silver while being injured is truly a success.
“I’m currently in Switzerland,” she said in an Instagram video shared Jan. 8. “And on my second day of training, I took this silliest fall and that ultimately resulted in me dislocating my shoulder. Which is so fun.”
She added at the time, “Trying to stay really optimistic I think, I don’t have much clarity right now, because I haven’t gotten an MRI yet. Just trying to stay really optimistic. But, I feel really good about where my snowboarding is at right now. I know that the minute I get cleared and I’m good to go, I should be fine—just hoping that doesn’t take too long.”
She added in a video shared on Jan. 13 that, “It’s funny, I’ve been doing this for so long and every season I am met with a different set of challenges. So, I guess this is going to be the one this year. But again, I’m grateful that I will be good to go for the Olympics.”
On representing the United States in the Games, Chloe said on social media, “If you told little me that, she wouldn’t believe you. This one feels especially meaningful for so many reasons.”
Chloe Kim: Olympic Snowboarder’s Medal Result Sparks Controversy