After 20 years and a valiant effort at the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, United States snowboarder Shaun White is saying goodbye to the Olympic halfpipe run.

Putting in a score of 85 on his second run today (February 11), he fell on his third run and came in fourth and so did not make it to the medal podium.

JAPAN’S AYUMU HIRANO IS NEW OLYMPIC CHAMPION

Japan’s Ayumu Hirano won the gold medal and is now the new Olympic champion. He won silver both at the 2014 and 2018  Olympic Winter Games.

“That’s it. It’s hard for me not to get hung up on that last run, I wanted it so badly. But I am proud of the runs I put down. I’m proud to be here for my last goodbye,” said White.

Nicknamed ‘The Flying Tomato’ because of his flaming red hair, Shaun White, with three gold medals, is the most decorated Olympic snowboarder ever.

Now 35 and head of a snowboard company, White reflected: “To be here, see these young guys competing, it’s been such an enjoyable process. I’m truly thankful to be here and still competing and even getting fourth, I’m proud of it. The future for me is so exciting. There’s so much I want to do in my life. So much to do, so much to live for, this is just the beginning.”