Parrot takes slopestyle gold three years on from cancer battle
Feb 07, 2022·Snowboard Park & Pipe
A gruelling months-long battle against cancer three years ago gave Max Parrot (CAN) a new perspective on life - and snowboarding. That enjoyment and relaxed attitude paid off in an inspirational gold medal triumph in the men's slopestyle at the Genting Snow Park on Monday.
"Going through 12 rounds of chemotherapy is the hardest thing I've been through," Parrot, 27, said. "It definitely makes you a lot stronger mentally. It definitely changed me as a person and as an athlete as well.
"Every time I strap my feet onto my snowboard, I appreciate it so much more than before. You're smiling more, everything's more positive. You put less pressure on yourself, less stress on yourself.
"I'm mostly all the time thinking about that and having that pressure off makes me ride even better."
The three-time Olympian was able to step it up a notch from his PyeongChang 2018 silver medal in his second run, when he landed all his tricks to be awarded with 90.96 points. He was the only competitor with a run scored in the 90s.
"You're just out there doing your best trying to achieve the runs you want to do, having fun and being on your board," he said. "In the end that's all that matters."
Su Yiming (CHN) claimed silver, the first Olympic medal in men's snowboard for China, just in front of his idol Mark McMorris (CAN).
"This means a lot to me," said Su of his historic podium, "One of the special things in my life, for sure. The Olympic Games in my home town, and I saw family, friends, everyone supported me, and I shared the podium with my idol, Mark McMorris. He's been my idol since I started snowboarding.
"Everyone was riding so sick and we're having a lot of fun. This moment is so special."
McMorris became the first Olympian to win three consecutive bronze medals in the same individual Olympic Winter Games event.
"Obviously, the shade of medal would be nice to have changed up, but there's a lot to be proud of with those accomplishments," McMORRIS said. "I'm definitely not upset at anything. To ride really strong at three Olympics slopestyles and land and get a medal each time, I'm really proud and thankful."
The 28-year-old Canadian rider still has another shot for a record-breaking fourth Olympic medal in the big air event on Monday, 14 February, and he's already eying a fourth Games appearance at Milano-Cortina 2026.
"I don't see why I shouldn't be there," he said. "I feel like I have all the tricks to be winning still, which feels really good."
It is the first time that no USA athletes made it on the Olympic podium in slopestyle, after PyeongChang 2018 champion Red Gerard (USA) was bumped down in fourth place after McMorris' last run.
Despite the Beijing 2022 setback for the U.S. squad, Gerard had no problems calling his shot for the next Games go-around at Milano-Cortina 2026.
"Where's the next Olympics, Italy? It'll be a (USA) sweep there," Gerard said.
With files courtesy OIS
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