“I Got Emotional”: Retired Shaun White Gets a Taste of Olympics Again

Representing the country at the Olympics is the biggest honor and getting a chance to hold the torch is even bigger. Retired snowboarder Shaun White finally had his moment before the 2024 Paris Olympics. The iconic five-time Olympian has a stellar resume with three Olympic gold medals and most gold medals in the X Games. Both America and the Olympics did not overlook his contributions in the game. Therefore, alongside Megan Rapinoe, Sue Bird, Diana Flores, and Paul Rabil, he received the ultimate honor of running around the city of this year’s Olympics.

Shaun White shared a post on Instagram holding the prestigious Olympic torch. His heart was full of emotions as he wrote, “I’ve seen this on television, I’ve seen it in person but be chosen to run with the @olympics torch was such an honor I’ll never forget. I won’t lie I got emotional feeling that Olympic energy again. Thank you @paris2024.” 

White’s glorious career ended back in the 2022 Winter Olympics at Beijing. Although he finished fourth in his final event, he left the sport on a high note. Since then, the iconic American has been focused on promoting his brand Whitespace. While his merchandise brand is flourishing, he has also committed to helping young snowboarders through an upcoming new circuit!

Shaun White is ready to launch a professional snowboarding league

The legendary Olympian recently announced that he will start a professional snowboarding circuit. In an e-mail to Eric Jackson of Sportico, White said, “We are building this league with the athletes in mind first.” Moreover, the upcoming league is called The Snow League and will kick off in March 2025.

White also advertised the league to be the first snowboarding pro league in the global arena that will bring the best in the world under one umbrella. The Snow League’s first venue is the United States of America. Following the inaugural event in the USA, there will be four overseas events. The news of Shaun White’s new snowboarding league came just days after the X Games announced launching team league.

“I sensed that our sport was at a crossroads and really needed to be re-framed and presented in a way where we could stand shoulder to shoulder with other globally celebrated sports,” the Olympian said of the vision behind his upcoming league. On the verge of starting a new league and getting an opportunity to hold the Olympic Torch… isn’t that cherry on the cake for Shaun White?