Il Nuovo Postiglione - US snowboard star Kim dislocates shoulder ahead of Olympic three-peat bid

Kim, 25, who won back-to-back halfpipe golds at the 2018 and 2022 Olympics, announced news of her injury in an emotional post on Instagram.

The Californian posted footage of the fall which occurred as she practiced in Switzerland, adding that her team was still working to determine the extent of the damage.

"I took the silliest fall that ultimately resulted in me dislocating my shoulder," Kim said.

"I don't have much clarity right now because I haven't gotten an MRI yet, but that's scheduled for tomorrow (Friday). I should have a better idea of what's going on tomorrow."

Any serious damage to Kim's shoulder would threaten her participation in next month's Olympics, which are taking place in Milan-Cortina from February 6-22.

Kim meanwhile said she was trying to remain positive about the injury, adding that she had range of motion in her shoulder.

"I am not in that much pain -- obviously I just don't want it to keep popping out, which has happened," Kim said.

"So yeah, just trying to stay really optimistic, but I feel really good about where my snowboarding is at right now, so I know that the minute I get cleared and I'm good to go, it should be fine.

"I'm just hoping that it doesn't take too long."

Kim, who has also won three World Championship halfpipe gold medals, is one of the highest profile winter sports athletes in the United States, becoming the youngest woman to win an Olympic gold in the halfpipe at the 2018 games in Pyeongchang when she was 17.

Q.Bernardi--INP