# @theathletichq on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DUryKankilD
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/56037278-theathletichq-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/1ee122c71c.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-02-13T04:09:02.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** The Athletic (@theathletichq) — https://gondola.cc/theathletichq

## Caption

The connection between Olympic snowboarders Choi Gaon and Chloe Kim extends beyond the medal podium.

Kim began mentoring Choi nearly a decade ago and cheered Choi on when she passed Kim as the youngest X Games halfpipe gold medalist in 2023.

"I feel like a proud Mom," Kim wrote on social media.

Even as competitors at Milan Cortina, Kim encouraged Choi after she had crashed on her first run. “You got this,” Kim told her. “You’re a badass snowboarder.”

Now the protégé has beaten her mentor as Choi became the youngest medalist in the Winter Games so far.

"I’ve known Gaon since she was little," Kim said. "She won her first Olympic gold medal at the same age as I did. It’s such a full-circle moment."

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 77,572
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 192

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The Athletic | @theathletichq | https://gondola.cc/theathletichq | Sports Media Outlet |
| The Athletic | @theathletichq | https://gondola.cc/theathletichq | Client |
| Claire | @weltzan | https://gondola.cc/weltzan | Graphic Designer |
| Claire | @weltzan | https://gondola.cc/weltzan | Copywriter |
| Claire | @weltzan | https://gondola.cc/weltzan | Social Media Coordinator |

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