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31-year-old snowboarder Shaun White was looking for a little redemption in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang after not medaling in the halfpipe in 2014 at Sochi. On Wednesday he got it, but it certainly wasn’t easy.
After winning Olympic gold in 2006 and 2010, White had to overcome a horrific crash he suffered while training in October where he sustained brutal injuries to his face and lungs. At the time, White’s coach J.J. Thomas gave him a 50/50 chance of being recovered enough for the Winter Olympics.
Then, as if that wasn’t enough to overcome, White then needed an almost perfect final run to overtake Ayumu Hirano, who had scored 95.25 and was sitting in first place. Going last, White was almost flawless, scoring a 97.75, taking home his third Olympic gold medal in the halfpipe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6NTcNFjVjE
After his spectacular run White was extremely and understandably emotional.
We're not crying, you're crying. #WinterOlympics #BestOfUS pic.twitter.com/nCc69b6VvN
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 14, 2018
Olympians, past and present, from all sorts of disciplines and from all over the world were very fired up for White, including a guy who knows a thing or two about Olympic redemption, Michael Phelps.
Let’s go @shaunwhite !!! Way to go man!! Nothing like a good comeback right?? Redemption always feels great!! #usa #OlympicGames2018
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) February 14, 2018
Who is stoked for that performance!? @shaunwhite @NBCOlympics @TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/vV9jhscVwF
— Julia Mancuso (@JuliaMancuso) February 14, 2018
@shaunwhite …. just unbelievable..#perfection @pyeongchang2018
— Nadia Comaneci (@nadiacomaneci10) February 14, 2018
As were athletes from non-Olympic sports.
https://twitter.com/tonyhawk/status/963612815842881540
That pure emotion from @shaunwhite. That’s what it’s all about. So awesome.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) February 14, 2018
Of course, the internet being, well, the internet, a whole slew of people had to find something to complain about. Namely, the fact that, after winning, White grabbed an American flag and caught up in the moment dragged the flag on the ground, at one point even accidentally stepping on it.
Shaun White just broke flag code like six times.
— Luke Perrin (@glukeperrin) February 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/lonny_kaehn/status/963610355556548608
https://twitter.com/Sargd66/status/963611308955521025
Congrats @shaunwhite – Now can you stop dragging our flag on the ground and stepping on it, please? Show some respect. pic.twitter.com/OjeeM7Melt
— Nathan (@RealAntiWoke) February 14, 2018
Proud to see @shaunwhite grab the gold… wish they wouldn’t drag our flag across the ground… blame the Marine in me but minimal effort would show a lot of respect 🤷🏻♂️ #OlympicGames
— Joey Jones (@Johnny_Joey) February 14, 2018
@shaunwhite show that flag some respect! pic.twitter.com/fdJqCCQVkD
— The Pagliasotti's (@BluePitBull1300) February 14, 2018
I totally just screamed when @shaunwhite won gold. (Sorry @ sister). Except now he has the flag on the ground and I am CRINGING. Stop this madness!
— Mara (@Mara_Elizabeth) February 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/JennaHatfield/status/963609999799934977
@TeamUSA Congratulations 🍾🎉🎊 2 a well deserved Gold 4 @shaunwhite ! Be proud of urself as this is probably ur “Swan Song Olympics” Coming from Military backing, something that bothers the heck out of me is dragging our flag 🇺🇸 Ur caught up in excitement, but PICK IT UP !! pic.twitter.com/bB24eiEnLx
— Karen (@KMB73) February 14, 2018
And so it went.
Look, I get it. White messed up with the flag. I’m sure once he realizes it he will apologize. The fact that he grabbed the flag as part of his celebration shows how much he loves his country.
Trust me, he could have done much worse to disrespect the flag, and on purpose.
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