White, Shaun (1986-…), was a champion American snowboarder and skateboarder. He became one of the most recognized athletes in the United States through his daring performances, his outgoing personality, and his flowing red hair. As a snowboarder, White won gold medals in the halfpipe event in the 2006, 2010, and 2018 Winter Olympic Games. The halfpipe is an acrobatic snowboarding event in which the competitor performs various flips, twists, and turns while airborne. In 2018, White became the first American male to win gold medals at three separate Winter Olympics. American speedskater Bonnie Blair won gold medals in the 1988, 1992, and 1994 games.
Shaun Roger White was born on Sept. 3, 1986, in San Diego. He survived two open-heart operations before he was a year old. White entered his first snowboarding contest at the age of 7. He won five national championships as an amateur before turning professional at the age of 13. At the age of 9, White became friends with the American skateboard pioneer Tony Hawk. Hawk acted as White’s adviser and teacher and helped him become a professional skateboarder at the age of 17.
White became a star of both the winter and summer X Games. These annual games feature competition in what are often called action sports. Winter X Games include several skiing and snowboarding events. The summer games include a number of skateboarding and BMX (bicycle motocross) events. BMX races are run on a variety of courses. White won 18 snowboarding medals (13 gold medals) in his Winter X Games career. He also won 5 skateboarding medals (2 gold medals) in his Summer X games career. In 2003, he became the first athlete to win medals in both games.
White is also a successful businessman. He is involved in marketing a brand of snowboards, as well as a line of clothing and accessories for both men and women. He has also helped to develop popular video games with snowboarding themes. White retired from snowboarding after competing in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.
