Regina’s Mark McMorris is no stranger to adversity.
He’s dealt with injuries before and worked through setbacks. And once again, with the Olympics slopestyle event approaching, he’s back on the hill and ready to compete.
After a frightening crash in big air training on February 4 left him with a concussion, bone bruising near his pelvis and an abdominal strain, McMorris has officially been cleared to compete in men’s snowboard slopestyle at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
And on Friday, speaking with the media after returning to the hill at Livigno Snow Park, the 32-year-old didn’t sound like a man clinging to hope. He sounded ready.
“Feeling really good, feeling thankful to be boarding again. Had a lot of fun today. It’s awesome that we have so many days of practice. That was day one, and I feel like I made some good strides. Just slowly building my confidence back up.”
That crash forced him out of big air and briefly put his Olympic slopestyle defence in doubt. For a three-time defending Olympic bronze medallist, the timing couldn’t have been worse.
But if there’s one thing Saskatchewan sports fans know about McMorris — you never count him out.
After completing extensive concussion protocol and medical testing, he received full clearance Thursday and was back under blue skies Friday, dialing in a course he believes plays to his strengths.
“It’s nice to get the hang of a course in such perfect weather. Thankfully, nothing that a week or nine days couldn’t fix, so I’m feeling pretty darn good again.”
This is the same athlete who competed in Sochi with a broken rib. The same rider who survived life-threatening injuries less than a year before winning Olympic bronze again in PyeongChang. Adversity and Olympic seasons have almost become synonymous in his career.
“I’ve definitely had to build myself back up from some tough injuries and some adversity at times. Obviously I wish it didn’t happen, but I can’t go back. I just try to move forward with positivity and trust my riding abilities — and that’s what I’m going to do.”
The course features a jump big enough for an 1800, the same trick that helped him capture his 12th career Winter X Games gold medal in January. The tools are there. The confidence is rebuilding.
But this week wasn’t just about physical recovery. It was about doing things the right way.
“Doing all the concussion protocol and testing is very repetitive and rigorous, but you can’t be too careful with the head,” McMorris said while speaking with media Friday. “I’m glad we have such a good medical team here to walk me through that and instill the confidence in me again.”
He admitted the night of the crash was difficult. The hospital stay wasn’t easy. The mind races when the Olympics hang in the balance.
“I mean, here and there it’s tough to fall asleep because you’re thinking a lot and hoping and a little bit stressed at times but my sleep’s been pretty solid.”
Now, with qualifying set for February 16 and finals on February 18, the mission remains unchanged.
“The injury doesn’t change the goals. The goal is always just to ride to the best of my ability, and if I do that, I think I’ll be in a really good place.”
Don’t bet against him now.
