Teenage Snowboarder Competes with Broken Arm

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Despite having a broken arm, 17-year-old Ollie Martin represented Team USA in the snowboarding big air final at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics on Saturday. The high school senior narrowly missed making it on the podium during his Olympic debut, finishing in fourth place behind athletes from Japan and China.

Why it matters

Martin's determination to compete with a serious injury at the Olympics highlights the incredible dedication and perseverance of young athletes. His performance also showcases the growth and popularity of snowboarding as an Olympic sport, especially among the next generation of competitors.

The details

Martin sustained the broken arm injury during training in Aspen, Colorado prior to the Olympics. Despite the setback, he was still able to qualify for and compete in the big air final, where he finished behind gold medalist Kira Kimura of Japan, silver medalist Ryoma Kimata of Japan, and bronze medalist Su Yiming of China.

• The 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics took place on February 8, 2026.
• Martin sustained his broken arm injury during training in Aspen, Colorado prior to the Olympics.