Canadian snowboarder, world champion Liam Brearley out of Olympic Games with injury

TORONTO — World champion slopestyle snowboarder Liam Brearley will not compete in the Olympic Games because of a knee injury that required surgery.

The 22-year-old from Gravenhurst, Ont., injured his knee and ankle while training in November.

Brearley claimed world championship slopestyle gold in Engadin, Switzerland, in March with a dominating second run of 90.15 points, which was over five points better than runner-up Su Yiming of China.

The Canadian also finished fifth in January’s X Games in Aspen, Colo.

His world title qualified Brearley to make his Olympic debut in February at the Milan Cortina Games in Italy.

But he won’t be there, as he won’t return to snow before April.

“After exploring every option over the past few weeks, I’ve had to undergo knee surgery that unfortunately takes me out of the upcoming season and the Olympic Games,” Brearley wrote Wednesday in an Instagram post.

“That’s a tough reality to accept. Competing on that stage has been a lifelong dream, and missing it hurts more than I can put into words.”

Brearley won the Knuckle Huck in his X Games debut in Aspen in 2024. He also claimed World Cup slopestyle gold medals in both Silvaplana and Laax, Switzerland, in 2024.

“I know setbacks are part of the journey, and I’m incredibly grateful for the support from my family, team, sponsors, management, and all of you, it’s meant everything during this time,” Brearley wrote.

“The focus now is recovery and coming back stronger than before. I’m not going anywhere, and I’m more motivated than ever.”

Canada’s Olympic snowboard team will be announced before the end of January.

“Liam is not only a world-class athlete, but a tremendous representative of Canadian snowboarding,” said Canada Snowboard chief executive officer Dustin Heise in a statement.

“While this injury is an unfortunate setback, his long-term health and future success are the priority. We have full confidence in Liam’s recovery plan and in his ability to return stronger, and Canada Snowboard will continue to support him every step of the way as he focuses on rehabilitation and the next chapter of his career.”

Brearley’s teammate Cameron Spalding of Havelock, Ont., claimed last season’s overall World Cup title in men’s slopestyle to qualify for Canada’s Olympic team.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 17, 2025.