'Inspired so many people' - Billy Morgan praises Shaun White after snowboarder's retirement in Beijing

ByLewis Mason

Updated 11/02/2022 at 12:29 GMT

Shaun White finished fourth in the halfpipe final at the Winter Olympics in the final event of his illustrious career, with British snowboarder Billy Morgan praising the three-time gold medallist, saying "he’s inspired so many people over the years". White said "it's been the love of my life competing and snowboarding and I’m proud of every moment" after his Olympic career came to an end.

Shaun White has been described as “the face of snowboarding” after bringing his career to an end at the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

The 35-year-old wiped away tears after his final run failed to bring him a medal to sign off with.

White was hoping to pick up a fourth Olympic gold medal by winning the halfpipe final, but he had to settle for fourth place, with Ayumu Hirano of Japan taking victory.

Beijing 2022

'Told me I would be DQ'd' – Medallist upset as IOC makes her scribble out board logo

16/02/2022 at 12:49

British snowboarder Billy Morgan has praised the American's influence on the sport, telling Eurosport: “Shaun has pretty much led the charge of snowboarding for so long, he is the face of snowboarding and you can see how much it means to him there."

• Beijing 2022 Olympic Games: Schedule, big names, key events and more

“And that must be a massive emotional thing you know, he’s competed for so long and to take that run being the last competitive run you’ll ever do – that’s got to be emotional”, he continued.

Despite missing out on a farewell medal, Morgan believes White went out in style.

'He is the face of snowboarding' - Morgan pays tribute to legend White

“Coming into that run it’ll be a bit of a relief, he knows he can do it and it was an incredible run. Into his second hit, the cab 10, the sky hook, the classic, I like that he’s putting in his classic touches on his run like he has done all the way through his career. And he got to land an incredible run as his last and final contest. I think that means a lot to him”, Morgan said.

White was fighting injury during his final run, saying he was “seizing up”, but Morgan thinks his determination is what has made him an iconic figure with snowboarding, saying, “The way he copes with pressure is part of what made him such an amazing competitor as well. He has the tricks, he has the skills but he can also compete under that ridiculously high pressure.”

He is for sure an all-time great.

A five-time Olympian, White built an incredible career which saw him receive his first sponsorship at the age of seven after choosing snowboarding over skiing, and his longevity will ensure his name remains synonymous with the sport for years to come

In his final event, White was 20 years older than the youngest competitor in the field, providing an inspiring figure for the next generation to look up to.

Morgan agrees, saying, “he’s inspired so many people over the years. He will always be in the snowboard history book”.

--

Watch every moment of Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 on discovery+

Beijing 2022

‘He is having the time of his life!’ – 17-year-old Su with ‘massive’ run to seal home gold

00:01:44

|

15/02/2022 at 09:06

Beijing 2022

Teenager Su Yiming shines to claim home gold in big air

15/02/2022 at 09:29