There are only five Olympians who have won medals in both the Winter and Summer Olympics, and it looks like Shaun White is no longer trying to get on that list. Back in 2018, White announced his goal to skateboard at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and has since had a change of heart.
Originally, it didn’t seem too far fetched of an idea for the three-time Olympic gold medalist, who also happens to have a gold medal from both the Summer and Winter X-Games. In fact, White’s boardsports career started with skateboarding, not snowboarding. He was even mentored by the legendary Tony Hawk, so it’s safe to say that White can do more than a kickflip.
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Apparently, White has reevaluated his priorities for 2020. In an interview with the Associated Press, he explains that “the decision became less about going for skate and more about, am I willing to walk away from snow?” In the last two years, White tried to become a stronger park rider, since the Olympic contests are park and street riding and his background is mostly in vert. Realizing that he needed to step away from snowboarding to be on par with full-time skateboarders, White couldn’t make the sacrifice.
Now with all this free time, White could, in theory, be training for something else. Perhaps, the next Winter Olympics in Beijing? When asked about the notion White could neither confirm nor deny his intentions for 2022. So it sounds like we’ll just have to wait and see.
About The Author
stash member Katie Lozancich
TGR Staff Writer and photographer. Fond of bikes, pow, and dogs. Originally from Northern CA, home for me has ranged from the PNW to a teepee in Grand Teton National Park.