White’s aiming to skate ahead
HE HAS millions in the bank and is the first snowboarder to win three Olympic titles but Shaun White still wants more. White, nicknamed the ‘Flying Tomato’, won the halfpipe in stunning style here, regaining the title he first won in 2006 but lost four years ago in Sochi. Now the 31-year-old wants to target the Summer Olympics in 2020, when skateboarding will make its debut. “It would mean the world to me to compete in skating,” he said.
“I assumed at some point in my lifetime skateboarding would get into the Olympics but I’m happy it’s come at a time when I feel physically and mentally capable of competing and pursuing that dream.” White’s legendary status is secure but he would still struggle to win any popularity contests.
His build-up to these Games was overshadowed by allegations of inappropriate behaviour. White admitted sending lewd text messages to Lena Zawaideh, the former drummer of his band Bad Things, with whom he later reached an undisclosed settlement. He said: “I’m here to talk about the Olympics not gossip. I am who I am and I’m proud of who I am. My friends love me and vouch for me, that stands on its own.
“I’m sure you can tell by my reactions at the bottom of the pipe this meant the world to me, my family and my team. To be a gold medallist again is just unreal.”
Meanwhile, bad weather meant British skiers Alex Tilley and Charlie Guest had their Olympic debuts in the women’s slalom postponed.