The Pyeongchang Olympics ignited aspirations for two remarkable athletes in the snowboarding world. Chloe Kim, who captured gold at just 17, became an icon, while 11-year-old Bea Kim, inspired by Chloe’s achievements, set her sights on Olympic success.
Fast forward eight years, and the two Southern California natives shared a moment in matching patriotic outfits before the Milan-Cortina Olympics opening ceremony. Bea, now 19, is ready to make her Olympic debut alongside Chloe, who at 25 is aiming to etch her name in history by becoming the first snowboarder to win three consecutive gold medals.
Chloe Kim, the two-time reigning Olympic champion, faces the challenge of mentoring the next generation while also proving her prowess against them. “It’s been a really beautiful journey to learn more about myself and kind of discover who I am as a 25-year-old now,” she expressed during a news conference in Livigno, Italy. Chloe, who recently recuperated from a shoulder injury, continues to demonstrate resilience both on and off the slopes.
Growing up in the digital age, Chloe has learned to navigate fame and the challenges it brings, from internet scrutiny to balancing personal aspirations with public expectations. Following her second gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, she reflected on her relationship with snowboarding and the importance of mental well-being. “I need to learn when to back off… taking a lot of time off has been really important for me and my mental well-being,” she said.
Her dedication and work ethic are evident to Bea, who admires Chloe’s intentional approach to their shared sport. “She’s so incredibly intentional and has so much focus and purpose with everything that she does,” said Bea, highlighting Chloe’s all-in mentality, whether snowboarding or in her personal endeavors.
As both athletes continue their training at the world-renowned Mammoth Mountain club, Chloe’s mentorship has fostered budding talent like Gaon Choi from South Korea, another strong contender in the sport. Chloe, who introduced Choi to the Mammoth training environment, finds joy in witnessing the emergence of change in snowboarding, stating, “It’s really cool to see another fellow Korean girl out here killing it in a sport.”
Bea recently achieved her second World Cup podium finish, a testament to her growth as an athlete, while Chloe quietly prepared for the Olympics, adapting to the evolving nature of the sport. She expressed excitement about the future of women’s snowboarding, noting, “We all kind of broke this glass ceiling, and now sky’s the limit,” emphasizing the incredible potential of new talent in the sport.
As Chloe gears up to attempt a new trick for Olympic gold, the stage is set for an exciting competition showcasing the evolution of snowboarding and an inspiring narrative of mentorship, resilience, and growth in athletics.