Ginnis bids bittersweet farewell with gentle descent down slalom course

Greek alpine skier AJ Ginnis made his Olympic debut at the Games on Monday in what became an emotional farewell to competitive skiing. The 31-year-old athlete competed in the Olympic slalom race knowing it would mark both his first and last appearance at the Games, as ongoing injuries have forced him to retire from professional skiing. Ginnis, who captured a silver medal in slalom at the 2023 World Championships in Courchevel, France, has been unable to return to peak form following his latest setback.

The day before his Olympic slalom race, Ginnis realized during training that his body could no longer handle the demands of elite-level competition. According to the athlete, it all came “crashing down” when he acknowledged he would not be able to race at the highest level again.

Career Marked by Resilience and Olympic Dreams

Throughout his alpine skiing career, Ginnis has demonstrated remarkable perseverance, having previously undergone 10 surgeries before returning to competitive racing. However, complications from what was expected to be routine surgery in November proved to be insurmountable. When a screw was removed during the procedure, medical staff discovered that a nerve had been damaged, creating challenges that no amount of treatment could overcome.

In a final attempt to compete, Ginnis and his medical team tried multiple interventions on Sunday. These included a steroid injection and numbing his leg to determine if he could ski despite the pain. Unfortunately, none of these measures proved effective enough to allow him to compete at his usual standard.

Physical Limitations Force Difficult Decision

Following his farewell run on the Olympic course, Ginnis described the physical toll the injury had taken. His ankle was hurting just from standing in ski boots, and he expressed relief at the prospect of removing them. According to the skier, his team exhausted every medical option available, including injections and various therapies, but the body simply could not respond.

Despite the physical setbacks, Ginnis chose to view his Olympic appearance through a positive lens. The athlete, who previously competed for the United States before switching to represent Greece, embraced the opportunity to finish his career on his own terms rather than being forced out by circumstances beyond his control.

Bittersweet Olympic Slalom Finale

In a statement posted on Instagram on Sunday, Ginnis wrote that he would not be “attacking the gates one last time” as he had hoped. Instead, he expressed gratitude for the chance to leave the start gate and complete his career in the manner he chose. Additionally, he acknowledged that becoming an Olympian represented a dream fulfilled, even if the circumstances were not what he had originally envisioned.

The 2023 World Championship silver medalist told reporters that ending his career as an Olympian held special significance. While he would not be winning a medal at the Games, the accomplishment of competing on skiing’s biggest stage provided a meaningful conclusion to his journey. Meanwhile, his story serves as a reminder of the physical demands elite athletes face and the toll that injuries can take on even the most determined competitors.

Ginnis has not announced specific plans for his post-competitive career, though his focus will likely shift to recovery and rehabilitation following years of surgeries and intensive training. The alpine skiing community continues to celebrate his achievements and resilience throughout a career defined by both triumph and adversity.