Shaun White may have retired from competitive snowboarding and hung up his Team USA Olympic bib but he won’t be far from the action in February when the 2026 Winter Games kickoff in Italy.
Shaun will join TODAY’s Savannah Guthrie and NBC Sports’ Terry Gannon for the coverage of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Opening Ceremony on February, 6th, 2025. The 3-time gold medal winner will in the broadcast booth for the Parade of Nations to provide an athlete’s perspective on of all the pomp and circumstance as the various nations assemble and march for the debut:
“The Olympics have been such a huge part of my career and to return in this role, celebrating the athletes, the energy, the backdrop of Italy is truly an honor.” -Shaun White
Still 135 days from from the official start of the games which will run from February, 6-22, 2026 but it’s never too early to start getting excited for winter sports to once again take the world stage. Let’s go USA!
Shaun White Olympic Profile:
Shaun White began snowboarding at a young age, heavily influenced by his family’s active lifestyle and frequent trips to the mountains. He first started riding in Southern California, where he grew up skateboarding alongside snowboarding, a combination that shaped his unique style. White attended Carlsbad High School but focused early on turning professional, balancing a growing career in Skateboarding and snowboarding.
Outside of competition, Shaun is passionate about music and philanthropy. He plays guitar in his band, Bad Things, and is involved in charitable efforts through the Shaun White Foundation, supporting initiatives like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. His diverse interests have also led him to pursue business ventures, including his clothing line and collaboration with various brands.
Olympic Highlights
Shaun White made history with five Olympic appearances, debuting at the Turin 2006 Olympic Games where he won his first gold medal in the men’s halfpipe. He continued his dominance with gold medals at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games and PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Games. In the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, he concluded his competitive career with a fourth-place finish in the halfpipe, narrowly missing the podium but earning global admiration for his legacy.
U.S. Championship Highlights
Shaun White’s notable U.S. championship highlights include his success at the Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships, where he won multiple titles in the halfpipe. He claimed three consecutive halfpipe championships, with notable victories such as his 2008 win at Stratton Mountain Resort, Vermont.
Career Highlights
Throughout his career, Shaun has been recognized for his technical precision and groundbreaking tricks, including perfect scores at prestigious events like the X Games, where he won 15 gold medals. His ability to push boundaries led him to redefine the standards of competitive snowboarding.
Early Career
Shaun White’s early career was marked by rapid success. By the age of 7, he was already sponsored, and by 13, he had turned pro. His early training at Southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains provided the foundation for his innovative style. He also briefly pursued professional skateboarding, competing in the X Games before focusing entirely on snowboarding.
Olympic Experience
- 5-time Olympian; 3-time Olympic medalist (3 gold)
- Olympic Games Beijing 2022, 4th (Halfpipe – Men)
- Olympic Games Pyeongchang 2018, gold (Halfpipe – Men)
- Olympic Games Sochi 2014, 4th (Halfpipe – Men)
- Olympic Games Vancouver 2010, gold (Halfpipe – Men)
- Olympic Games Turin 2006, gold (Halfpipe – Men)
