Often legends are associated with the past. It is necessary to leave a latency time necessary to appreciate the fair value of the performances. Sometimes, however, this implicit rule is shattered by the magic of a champion. Since this Friday, the anomaly has ended for Shaun White. From now on, the sacred monster of snowboarding is combined with the past following more than twenty years of an extraordinary career.
What is a legend measured by? Undoubtedly with notable titles. At White’s, there is a bunch of them. Three Olympic titles, four World Cups, 13 Winter X Games: look no further, no one has done better than him in this sport. But a legend is also panache, the very one that allowed him to mark these Olympics despite his 4th place obtained this Friday following his fall in the final.
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On Wednesday, in danger in qualifying, the American had taken all the risks to get his place in the final, where more careful management would have been enough to obtain the precious sesame. But, like all champions, instinct spoke, giving Beijing one of those suspended moments that will be remembered. “Qualifying (Wednesday) was like winning: doing that decisive run with my back once morest the wall and having no choice“, he also admitted.
A fall, a fright and a qualification: White passes but is scared
Event of these Olympic Games, White’s retirement was smooth, like his delicate receptions with the board. “I’m not sad, but I’m scrolling my life in this sporthe took the time to rewind in the mixed zone. I can’t stop thinking regarding that day when I got my first snowboard. I was running home from school and asking my mother: ‘Has he arrived?’ He wasn’t there yet, and neither was the next day. It was the same for 4 days. And one day, she appeared in my classroom with the board in her hands and I was like hysterical. She interrupted everyone just to give me my snowboard. And from then on I was on a mission“.
I’m so relieved to sleep at night, not thinking regarding runs anymore
The mission ended but it was successfully completed. No one will have embodied their sport so well, their daily demands, the necessary resilience and the magic that takes place during immaculate runs. “I love this sport so muchhe smiled. Even the terrible times when I’m sitting in a hospital room wondering what’s next, or when I come close to winning and feeling the pain of defeat and thinking regarding what I have to do to get back to winning new“.
The boss bows out: standing ovation for White, very moved for his last run
But, promised, there will be no lack. Because his decision had been made long ago. Because the benefits of retirement are on his mind right now. “It’s sad to say goodbye, but I’m so relieved to sleep at night, not thinking regarding runs anymore, wondering what’s going to happen if I hit the top of the pipe and end up knocked outhe admitted. I’ll never have to be at the top of the pipe once more, stressed out wondering if this is the day I’m really going to hurt myself trying to constantly push the limits.“.
But if White leaves with a light spirit, it is also because the succession is already in place. All these years, he thought only of that: to bring to the highest those who will come following him. “It’s been wild, frankly incrediblehe admitted to our microphone. It was almost ‘Groundhog Day’. How do I force myself to succeed in the next figure? How to be successful every day and stay at the top while supporting future generations? I knew this day would come and I am frankly proud to have influenced this generation“.
So how is the legacy of a legend judged? Probably what he leaves behind. Far from being a scorched earth, snowboarding worldwide has never seemed so challenging. “People often talk to me regarding this heritagehe concluded. I believe you saw it today with Ayumu [Hirano] and Scotty [James]. You’ve seen them do some dream runs and I’m honestly proud to have been part of that. I just hope to support them from now on“. The spirit finally rested. Thus leave the legends. With the feeling of the duty more than accomplished.
A crazy last run and Hirano blows the halfpipe title
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