Arielle Gold posing after winning a bronze medal in the women’s halfpipe snowboarding competition at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Feb. 13, 2018 (Photo/JTA-Cameron Spencer-Getty Images)
Arielle Gold posing after winning a bronze medal in the women’s halfpipe snowboarding competition at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Feb. 13, 2018 (Photo/JTA-Cameron Spencer-Getty Images)

Jewish snowboarder Arielle Gold joins Korean American on Olympic medal podium

American snowboarder Arielle Gold earned a bronze medal in the women’s halfpipe contest at the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Gold, who is Jewish, finished third on Tuesday behind U.S. teammate Chloe Kim, 17, who took the gold, and silver medalist Jiayu Liu of China. Kim’s parents are originally from South Korea.

Gold, 21, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, reportedly had considered retiring after dislocating her right shoulder while training for the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. She ultimately was not able to compete four years ago, though her older brother, Taylor, did.

Today in South Korea, Gold performed the demanding 1080 trick involving three rotations. Half the competitors attempted the move.

“I think that Steamboat is proud to have so many Olympians here, but to be able to bring home a medal to the town that has given me so much is amazing,” Gold told the Denver Post. “It’s not even the results. It’s just like the whole experience, the whole process has been so much more enjoyable for me.”

She was on the 2014 Olympic team, but an injury stopped her from competing. Her brother, Taylor Gold, 24, also competed in the halfpipe on the 2014 U.S. Olympic team.

Gold, who was the 2013 World Champion in the halfpipe event at the age of 16, is studying veterinary medicine at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

JTA

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