Shaun White Reflects on Olympic Spirit, Highlights Rising Stars at Milano Cortina 2026
Five-time Olympian Shaun White is experiencing the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games from a new perspective – as a spectator. While he won’t be competing, having officially retired from competition four years ago, White remains deeply connected to the Olympic spirit and is eager to witness the next generation of athletes.
White emphasized the unique feeling of representing one’s country at the Olympics, stating, “When you’re there, something I didn’t fully realise until later on, you’re really representing your country. You’re representing more than just yourself.” He contrasted the individual focus of most competitions with the unifying atmosphere of the Games.
“In most competitions, it’s very individual. You’re focused on your own training, your own event,” he explained. “Then you get to the Olympics and suddenly you’re rooting for the hockey team, the curlers, the bobsledders. Everyone’s rocking the same uniforms. There’s this glow, this buzz, this warmth and excitement that’s unlike anything else.” He reiterated, “It’s a feeling you just don’t get at other competitions. There’s nothing like it.”
White, who ran with the Olympic torch in Milan on February 5, 2026, and also appeared in the broadcast booth during the Opening Ceremony’s Parade of Athletes, is particularly excited about several athletes competing at Milano Cortina 2026. He singled out Eileen Gu as a “legend,” praising her dedication and ability in the halfpipe. He also highlighted Chloe Kim, noting she “has a league of her own.”
On the men’s side, White acknowledged the established stars like Scotty James and defending champion Ayumu Hirano, predicting, “I feel like there’s Ayumu, Scotty James and these characters that have been around long enough to know it’s good to hold back a little something for the big day.” He also anticipates seeing groundbreaking performances, stating, “I really feel like we might see some tricks that have never really been done before in competition at the Olympics.”
However, White’s attention is also drawn to the emerging talent within Team USA, specifically 17-year-old Alessandro Barbieri. Barbieri, nicknamed ‘The Chef,’ won halfpipe silver at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics and currently competes in The Snow League, a competition series launched by White after his retirement.
What impressed White most about Barbieri wasn’t just his talent, but his reaction to narrowly missing the podium at a Snow League event in December. “He was noticeably angry, he’s frustrated, he’s flustered. He was definitely in this space of ‘I know I can win, I just haven’t cracked the code on it yet.’ You could just see him breaking it down in his mind,” White observed. This self-assessment and drive resonated with the veteran snowboarder, leading him “He’s somebody that I think is incredibly talented, motivated, great style, great personality, and I’m super impressed.”
As White prepares to enjoy the Games from the sidelines, his enthusiasm for the Olympic spirit and the athletes competing remains palpable. He believes Milano Cortina 2026 will be a showcase of not only established champions but also the rising stars poised to redefine the boundaries of snowboarding.
