Scotty James earns his third Winter Olympics medal

Although an error at the very end of his 2026 Winter Olympics men’s snowboard halfpipe final – while attempting his sport’s most high difficulty move – ultimately denied five-time Olympian Scotty James an elusive gold medal last Saturday, the hands he’d put over his head in initial despair quickly shifted to giving thumbs up signals, high fives to nearby throngs of cheering Aussie spectators, and a loving wave towards his Jewish wife, Canadian singer Chloe Stroll.

Then, on the podium, his trademark beaming smile returned.

In a very special moment for both the giver and receiver, James was presented with his silver medal by none other than the most successful Jewish Australian Olympian of all time – canoe slalom superstar Jess Fox, in her capacity as an International Olympic Committee member.

It was when the milestone he’d just achieved began to sink in for James, who converted to Judaism before his marriage in May 2023.

By winning another Olympic silver medal, adding to his silver won in 2022 and his bronze won in 2018, James, 31, became Australia’s most decorated Winter Olympics athlete, in terms of medals won.