Shaun White finishes fourth in the men’s halfpipe. This is the end of a long and storied Olympic career.
BEIJING — Olympic snowboard champion Shaun White failed to win a fourth gold medal in his final appearance on the halfpipe at Beijing Winter Games. The five-time Olympian was fourth, missing the podium by 2.25.
Ayumu Hirano, Japan’s top scorer with 96 points, impressed with his last run. Scotty James from Australia came in second with 92.5 points. He had a second high-flying run and was followed by Jan Scherrer of Switzerland with 87.25.
Friday’s competition was White’s final competition as a professional snowboarder.
“A lot emotions are hitting me right now, the cheering of the crowd, the kind words of my fellow competitors at bottom. White cried, saying that she was so happy. Thank you, snowboarding. It’s been my passion. White, 35, proved that he can handle the halfpipe better then some of his younger competitors, despite not winning a medal. White scored 85 points on his second best run. He couldn’t beat his highest score of the day, however, due to a mishap on his last run.
He stated that he was proud of the place he had finished.
White said, “I would love to walk out there with everybody for one final time,” and he waved to the crowd before he left the course. He was greeted by a huge round of applause. As he waited for his score, he was overcome with emotion.
He is the only snowboarder to have won three Olympic gold medals. He is also the oldest halfpipe rider ever to represent the United States.
White stated that he was leaving Beijing to look for the future.
White stated, “The future is so exciting for me; there’s so many things I want in my life,” White said, “There’s so much to do and so much to live for. This is only the beginning.”
