Chloe Kim shares surprising truth about lost toenails as she prepares for a possible third straight Olympic gold medal

Chloe Kim is getting ready for the biggest moment of her career, but before the 2026 Winter Olympics begin, she shared a small and honest secret that surprised many fans. As the American snowboard star prepares to chase a historic third straight Olympic gold, Kim opened up about why she wears toenail extensions, something she says is not about style but about survival in her tough sport.Speaking to Women’s Health in January 2026, the 25-year-old athlete explained that snowboarding at her level takes a serious toll on her body, right down to her feet. Chloe Kim explained that she never knew how much she would cry after walking, running, jogging, merely sleeping. With the 2026 Winter Games marking her third Olympic appearance, she is focused on staying healthy, comfortable, and confident as she represents Team USA.“I will get a mani-pedi once a month, but the tea is, I have a hard time with my toenails because I always lose those,” Kim told Women’s Health. “I’m missing two toenails right now.”Kim said she uses Gel-X toenail extensions to replace the nails she loses, even though they do not always stay on. She shared a funny moment that shows how unpredictable it can be.“They come out all the time,” she said. “One time, I was on a plane and my big toenail came out, and I didn’t know what to do with it. I just threw it in the seat.”Despite the light moment, Kim’s focus remains serious. The 2026 Winter Games in Cortina will be her third Olympics, and she has a chance to become the first woman to win three straight gold medals in snowboard halfpipe. In November, she spoke to PEOPLE about the pressure of possibly making history.“I don’t really feel that type of pressure,” Kim told PEOPLE. “The pressure I feel is wanting to do the best that I can and see what happens from there. I just really want to enjoy this journey more than anything.”Her road to the Games was not easy. On January 8, Kim shared on Instagram that she dislocated her shoulder after a fall during practice. Doctors later confirmed she tore her labrum. A few days later, she gave fans a hopeful update, saying she was “good to go” for the Olympics, even though she could not snowboard until shortly before the Games.“I haven’t gotten nearly the amount of reps that I would have liked, but that’s OK,” Kim said.