Knee surgery ends Brearley’s Olympic bid for Canada
Canada’s snowboarding world champion Brearley will miss the next Olympic Games after undergoing knee surgery, a setback confirmed this week that removes one of the country’s biggest medal threats from the roster. The operation followed an injury picked up in training earlier in the season, and doctors have ruled out a safe return within the Olympic timeline.
Brearley, a standout on the World Cup circuit and the reigning world champion, said the news was “crushing,” but insisted the priority is a complete recovery rather than a rushed comeback. “I’ll do the work and come back stronger,” she said in a statement.
Canada’s coaching staff acknowledged the impact, calling her absence “a massive blow” to the team’s plans, while also backing the next group of riders to seize the opportunity. With Brearley sidelined for months, Canada’s selection picture shifts immediately, and the fight for Olympic spots opens up as the countdown continues.