Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris is set to compete at the Milan Cortina Winter Games, defying the odds yet again after a serious injury just days before the event. Known for his remarkable resilience and a career filled with breathtaking highs and perilous lows, McMorris, a three-time Olympic bronze medalist, continues to push the limits of snowboarding as he prepares to take on the slopestyle event on February 18.
A Record of Resilience
At 32 years of age, McMorris has faced injuries that would likely end the careers of many athletes. His journey is a testament to his extraordinary recovery abilities. As a Regina native, he has made a name for himself in the international snowboarding scene, amassing an impressive 22 medals at the X Games. His career has been marked by daring tricks and a relentless pursuit of excellence, but this has not come without its challenges.
In 2016, during a daring attempt at a frontside triple cork 1440—an incredibly complex trick involving four full rotations—he suffered a broken femur. Remarkably, he was back on the slopes just five months later. However, his most serious accident occurred in 2017 while snowboarding in the backcountry near Whistler, B.C. A high-speed collision with a tree resulted in multiple severe injuries, including a fractured jaw, pelvis, and ribs, as well as a punctured lung and ruptured spleen. Against all odds, McMorris recovered fully by 2018, earning a bronze medal at the PyeongChang Winter Games.
A Shocking Turn of Events
As the countdown to the Milan Cortina Winter Games began, McMorris faced another setback. On February 4, just three days before the opening ceremony, he sustained a significant injury during a big air training session. A hard impact resulted in a grazed pelvis and concussion, leading to his removal from the course via stretcher. For a moment, it appeared that his Olympic dreams were in jeopardy.
Yet, true to form, McMorris bounced back once more. Medical evaluations cleared him to participate in the men’s slopestyle event, although he will forego the riskier big air competition. Speaking to reporters, he expressed optimism about his recovery, stating, “I feel like I made some good strides. I am slowly building my confidence back up.”
The Mental Game of Snowboarding
Despite his accomplishments, McMorris remains grounded about the inherent risks of snowboarding. When asked if he ever feels fear while performing, he candidly admitted, “I definitely get scared at times. It’s part of it.” He acknowledges that fear is a common experience among snowboarders, and it’s this shared understanding that strengthens their community. “There isn’t one snowboarder out here who hasn’t taken a hard hit,” he noted. “I feel like we’re a tough breed. Everyone has that warrior spirit in snowboarding and definitely has a lot of passion towards it, otherwise we wouldn’t be out here.”
As he prepares for his fourth Olympic Games, the question of retirement looms. Fellow Canadian freestyle champion Mikaël Kingsbury recently announced that Milan Cortina would be his last, having secured his fifth Olympic medal. However, McMorris deflected inquiries about his own future, stating, “I can’t give you that yet. I got to get through this one [Milan Cortina] and then I’ll let the water go under the bridge and see what’s up.”
Why it Matters
Mark McMorris’s continued presence in elite snowboarding highlights not only the resilience required to excel in this high-risk sport but also the spirit of perseverance that defines athletes at the Winter Games. His story serves as an inspiration to many, illustrating that setbacks can be overcome with determination and grit. As he gears up for another Olympic challenge, McMorris embodies the essence of a true competitor, reminding fans and fellow athletes alike that the journey is just as significant as the destination.
