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.

“It’s amazing, it’s special to be able to accomplish that,” he said in a TV interview on Nine after the presentation.

“At the end of the day, it [silver] is not exactly the result I wanted,” he added, but then said, “Representing the country, and winning a medal, is unbelievable, and I’m really proud of that.

“And I look forward to many more battles in the halfpipe.”

Speaking of all the Aussies watching on from the stands, and from around the world on TV, he said, “I’m so thankful for how you support me and cheer me on.

It was a quality final in which the top six athletes – including fellow Aussie Valentino Guseli, who came fifth – all earned scores that would have beaten the medallists in the same event at the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Japan’s Totsuka Yuto nailed a score of 95 in the second of his three runs, that could not be beaten.

James scored an excellent 93.50 in his second run, and was determined to go for the “backside double cork 1620” move that had never been executed at the Olympics before, in his last big jump at the end of his third run, but couldn’t quite pull it off.

The next morning, he was instantly reminded of what’s most important in life when he put his silver medal around the neck of his 16-month old son Leo.

On social media, both Stroll and Fox reflected on James earning the biggest career medal tally by any Aussie Winter Olympics athlete.

“Scotty, you are a true legend – I am so inspired and in awe of you everyday, and will continue to be forever,” Stroll wrote.

Fox commented, “Feel the cheers and the love, Scotty – you are inspiring so many.

“Having the honour of presenting medals to Cooper [Woods, the men’s moguls winner] and Scotty, will stay with me forever.”