This past week the 2014 SOCHI Olympics started. Now I usually don't participate in much television watching unless it is something that grabs my interest. But when something as big as the Olympics comes on I will occasionally tune in. I don't pay much attention to the figure skating, hockey, or what I would call boring events. The events that I mostly focus on are the snowboarding freestyle, slope style, and super pipe. Snowboarding has always been a passion of mine and I love to watch athletes like Shaun White and Mark McMorris.

This year I was surprised to see that Shaun White was backing out of Olympic slope style due to a wrist injury. Shaun White isn't the kind of guy to just not compete due to such a small injury. Also, two weeks ago the 2014 X Games held in Aspen Shaun White announced that he would not be participating because he didn't want to risk getting injured. This is was a very big let down for most of his fans and competitors. I was very shocked to see that snowboarding's biggest icon wasn't going to compete in the X Games and Olympic slope style. He announced the day before the event that he wouldn't be competing because of "the potential risk of injury."

Hopefully Shaun White comes home with the Gold in Olympic super pipe because other than that he doesn't have much to take home.

Read more : Sports Illustrated Shaun White withdraws