Shaun White.Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty
Shaun Whitehas officially announced his retirement from professional snowboarding.
“This has all had its amazing glow to every single decision and every single competition because I’ve decided this will be my last Olympics,” White said. “I’ve given it my all. There have been some ups and downs on the way to get here, but through all that, I feel I’ve got stronger [and] gotten better.”
White did note, however, that he doesn’t plan on “leaving the sport” altogether anytime in the near future. “I think the beautiful part about snowboarding is there’s still a life to be had within the sport outside of competition,” he clarified.
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During the press conference, White said that he’s been dealing with ankle, knee, and back issues, which he saw as “little signs” that convinced him to retire at the end of last year, perESPN.
“I’ve done so much in this sport,” White said. “I hope that my riding speaks for itself. I’m always trying to push and progress and do the next biggest things and try to pick up with what trends are happening within the sport and be ahead of that curve.”
“It is one of those things where I have accomplished so much,” said White. “I think it would be a different story if I had come close to the gold four times and this was my last chance … Having such a long and amazing career, now at this point in my life, I can go back and go ‘Wow, it’s been incredible.’ "
Next up, White is set to face his last Olympic competition during the men’s snowboard halfpipe event, which sees qualification runs take place on Feb. 9 and the finals on Feb. 11.
To learn more about Team USA, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Winter Olympics, now, and the Paralympics, beginning March 4, on NBC.
source: people.com
