Colby Stevenson's life-altering car accident left him on the brink of death, but it was this same fate that almost denied him another chance at Olympic glory.
It was his grandmother who first stepped in to help Stevenson after he began struggling to cope with the loss of his mother. As they spent more time together, playing cards and taking short walks around the neighborhood, something shifted within him. His grandmother's presence filled a void left by his mother's absence, and it brought him joy in the darkest of times.
Those small moments of happiness proved to be a turning point for Stevenson, who was determined to overcome his injuries and continue pursuing his passion for skiing. After months of rehabilitation, he was finally cleared to return to the slopes, and when he did, he felt invigorated.
Stevenson's journey back to competition was not an easy one. He had been plagued by anxiety in the past, but after his grandmother stepped into his life, those feelings began to dissipate. At a FIS World Cup event in 2017, Stevenson dominated his run and took first place, proving to himself that he was still capable of achieving greatness.
Looking back on his accident as a positive experience has been instrumental in Stevenson's resurgence as a competitive skier. His determination and newfound perspective ultimately led him to the 2022 U.S. Olympic team in Beijing, where he surprised everyone by finishing seventh in slopestyle and winning bronze in Big Air.
It was during this event that Stevenson showed remarkable courage and risk-taking ability. As he listened to music on his headphones, he felt compelled to try a trick he had never attempted before β a "nose butter" triple cork, 1620 Japan grab. This daring move paid off, securing him the bronze medal in one of the most high-pressure competitions in sports.
It was his grandmother who first stepped in to help Stevenson after he began struggling to cope with the loss of his mother. As they spent more time together, playing cards and taking short walks around the neighborhood, something shifted within him. His grandmother's presence filled a void left by his mother's absence, and it brought him joy in the darkest of times.
Those small moments of happiness proved to be a turning point for Stevenson, who was determined to overcome his injuries and continue pursuing his passion for skiing. After months of rehabilitation, he was finally cleared to return to the slopes, and when he did, he felt invigorated.
Stevenson's journey back to competition was not an easy one. He had been plagued by anxiety in the past, but after his grandmother stepped into his life, those feelings began to dissipate. At a FIS World Cup event in 2017, Stevenson dominated his run and took first place, proving to himself that he was still capable of achieving greatness.
Looking back on his accident as a positive experience has been instrumental in Stevenson's resurgence as a competitive skier. His determination and newfound perspective ultimately led him to the 2022 U.S. Olympic team in Beijing, where he surprised everyone by finishing seventh in slopestyle and winning bronze in Big Air.
It was during this event that Stevenson showed remarkable courage and risk-taking ability. As he listened to music on his headphones, he felt compelled to try a trick he had never attempted before β a "nose butter" triple cork, 1620 Japan grab. This daring move paid off, securing him the bronze medal in one of the most high-pressure competitions in sports.