Shaun White has his sights set on a Summer Olympics
appearance in 2016. He's hoping skateboarding will
be added for the Rio de Janeiro Games. Photo: US
Presswire

"This is my first Summer Olympics and I don't know what to see," White said. "Obviously swimming, basketball - I heard track and field is pretty cool, but for me the highlight will be gymnastics."

 

The professional skateboarder and snowboarder's presence in London has taken some fans by surprise.

 

"What's funny is people will be surprised to see me here and ask 'What are you competing in?' " White said.

 

While snowboarding has been an Olympic event since the 1998 Games in Nagano, skateboarding has yet to be accepted. However, White is optimistic about his chances to compete in the Summer Games soon.

 

"I would love to compete; that would be the ultimate experience to compete in winter and summer," White said. "They're talking about (including skateboarding in) 2016 in Brazil, but I don't know."

 

Before he can set his sights on Rio de Janeiro, White first will have to recuperate from impending knee surgery to remove cartilage, then compete in 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.

 

"I had a previous knee injury that's been dragging along for a couple years," White said. "I just really want to be healthy for the next season of snowboarding and skateboarding after that."

 

Sochi will present a new challenge for White, as he takes on a new event: slopestyle.

 

"I'm already getting after it," White said. "The tricks are more intense, the actual riding is more involved, and with slopestyle around now, I'm going to compete in two events."

 

by Mike Foss for USA Today