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Who is Shaun White?
Shaun White, born in San Diego, California, on September 3, 1986, is a renowned professional snowboarder and skateboarder. He rose to prominence in the snowboarding world with his exceptional performances in the Winter Olympics, securing a total of three gold medals, the first of which was won in 2006. White is also widely recognized for his achievements at the X Games and his iconic status in the world of extreme sports. His red hair has earned him the nickname “Flying Tomato,” a moniker that became synonymous with his career and global fame.
Early Life
Shaun Roger White was born with a congenital heart defect, which led to two surgeries before the age of five. Despite these early challenges, White’s passion for sports emerged at a young age. He was introduced to skateboarding after following his older brother, Jesse, to the nearby Encinitas YMCA, and began snowboarding at the age of six. His mother, recognizing his natural ability, encouraged him to develop his skills by teaching him to board switch (backward), a skill that would ultimately shape his career and give him a competitive edge.
Professional Career
White’s professional career in snowboarding took off in 2002 when he began competing in the Winter X Games, eventually amassing eight medals, including an unprecedented four-peat in slopestyle, the first by any male athlete in this discipline. His Olympic debut came in 2006 at the Winter Games in Torino, Italy, where he won his first gold medal in the men’s halfpipe. He followed this victory with another gold in Vancouver in 2010, further solidifying his place in the history of snowboarding.
In addition to his snowboarding career, White has also made a significant impact as a professional skateboarder. Inspired by skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, whom he met at the age of nine, White achieved numerous skateboarding milestones, including a first-place finish at the 2006 Dew Action Sports Tour’s Right Guard Open in skateboard vert. He is also the only skater to land the bodyvarial frontside 540.
Known for his signature red hair, White has become a household name and a global icon in extreme sports. He signed his first sponsorship deal at the age of seven with Burton Snowboards and has continued to build a successful career, partnering with major brands such as T-Mobile, Target, Mountain Dew, and HP. His success has extended beyond sports, with ventures in video games, a clothing line, and snowboarding DVDs, further cementing his status as one of the most influential athletes of his generation.
Olympic Career Highlights
PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022
Shaun White, aiming to become the first snowboarder to win three Olympic gold medals, faced stiff competition at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games. In the halfpipe final, Japan’s Ayumu Hirano executed back-to-back double cork 1440s, scoring 95.25 and taking the lead. However, White responded on his final run with his own back-to-back 1440s, earning a score of 97.75, which secured him the gold. This victory also marked Team USA’s 100th Winter Olympic gold.
White’s path to the Games was uncertain after a dangerous crash in October 2017, which resulted in a five-day stay in intensive care and 62 stitches. Despite the severity of his injuries, he made a remarkable recovery and competed in PyeongChang.
At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, White placed fourth, announcing that it would be his final competition.
Sochi 2014
In the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Shaun White made headlines a day before the qualifying round for slopestyle when he announced that he would not compete in the event. Despite being a favorite, White cited the intimidating nature of the newly designed slopestyle course after two snowboarders, Torstein Horgmo and Marika Enne, suffered injuries during practice. As a result, no U.S. competitors participated in the event. White chose to focus on the halfpipe, where he was expected to win gold but finished in fourth place. Russian snowboarder Iouri Podladtchikov claimed the gold, with Ayumu Hirano and Taku Hiraoka of Japan earning silver and bronze, respectively.
Movies and Media Appearances
White’s on-screen appearances have been relatively limited. Apart from a cameo in Friends with Benefits (2011), he made a guest appearance in the animated series American Dad! and co-produced the Disney Channel TV movie Cloud 9.
Controversies
White has faced controversies off the slopes as well. In September 2012, he was arrested for public intoxication and vandalism after a disruptive incident at a hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. Reports indicated that White caused significant damage, including destroying a phone and triggering a fire alarm, leading to an evacuation. White allegedly attempted to flee the scene in a taxi but was pursued by a hotel guest, resulting in White falling and sustaining injuries. He was subsequently arrested and treated for his injuries.
In 2016, former bandmate Lena Zawaideh filed a lawsuit against White, accusing him of sexual harassment and wrongful termination from his rock band. White and Zawaideh reached a settlement the following year. During the 2018 Winter Olympics, when asked about the lawsuit, White referred to the allegations as “gossip” but later apologized, expressing regret for his past actions and acknowledging the discomfort caused to Zawaideh.