Canadian snowboard world champ Liam Brearley will miss Olympics because of knee injury

Canadian world champion snowboarder Liam Brearley will miss February's Milano Cortina Olympic Games after undergoing knee surgery.

The 22-year-old from Gravenhurst, Ont., made the announcement on social media, telling followers that he had suffered an injury to his left knee and ankle during training in November.

After weeks of exploring his options for treatment, the 2025 slopestyle world champion made the decision to have surgery that would keep him from competing at the Winter Games.

“This has definitely been a tough moment for me, but I’m staying positive and focused on coming back stronger,” Brearley said in a release. “I’m grateful for the support from my family, my team, my incredible sponsors, my management team and everyone who has reached out. The Olympics mean a lot, but so does having a long career ahead and competing for Canada. This is just part of the journey.”

Brearley has already begun rehabilitation under the guidance of team doctors and medical specialists, but will be out of action for the remainder of the season, including the Olympics.

"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 wrote in a post on Instagram. "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.

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

Brearley's return-to-sport plan is expected to see him begin light on-snow progression in early April.

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