Mark McMorris Reflects on First Olympic Games Without a Medal
The disappointment was palpable for Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris following his eighth-place finish in the men's slopestyle competition at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games. The 32-year-old from Regina experienced his first Olympic event without a podium placement, ending a streak of three consecutive bronze medals in previous Winter Games.
Perspective Amid Disappointment
Despite the fresh disappointment, McMorris maintained a philosophical outlook when speaking with reporters after the competition. "In sports, it doesn't always go your way," he reflected. "For my career, 90 percent of the events, the big events, have always gone my way. This not being one of them, it's really tough."
The accomplished athlete had been pursuing his fourth Olympic medal in his fourth Winter Games appearance. His previous bronze medals all came in the slopestyle event, where athletes are judged on their performance through a rail section followed by three jumps.
Overcoming Injury Challenges
McMorris's participation in the Olympics was far from guaranteed leading up to the competition. The snowboarder suffered multiple injuries during training on February 4, including:
- A concussion
- A bruised pelvic bone
- Strained abdominal muscles
These injuries forced his withdrawal from the big air competition, and he wasn't cleared to compete in slopestyle until February 12. "I'm feeling pretty beat up, mentally and physically, but I'm proud of my efforts," McMorris acknowledged. "I'm really, really, really proud to make it to a fourth Olympics. I know I haven't left any stone unturned."
Competition Details and Results
McMorris had shown promise during qualifying rounds, posting the third-highest score of 81.81. Had he matched this performance in the finals, it would have secured him a bronze medal. Instead, his highest score in the final was 75.50 during his first run, followed by a fall on his second attempt and a dramatic crash on his third.
The podium finishers were:
- Su Yiming from China (gold, 82.41)
- Hasegawa Taiga from Japan (silver, 82.13)
- Jake Canter from the United States (bronze, 79.36)
McMorris noted there were "signs of brilliance" in each of his runs but expressed disappointment with how they ultimately came together. "It's a tough pill to swallow right now," he admitted.
Legacy and Future Plans
Despite this Olympic setback, McMorris remains one of snowboarding's most decorated athletes. In addition to his three Olympic bronze medals from 2014, 2018, and 2022, he holds the record as the most decorated competitor in Winter X Games history with 25 medals (12 gold, 10 silver, and three bronze).
At 32 years old, McMorris is roughly a decade older than each of the three slopestyle medalists at this year's Olympics. However, he remains enthusiastic about his future in the sport. "I'm having more fun than ever," he declared, "and I don't plan to stop anytime soon."
