"I was so thrilled to hear that Italy was taking on this Olympics, just because I had such an incredible time in (in 2006)," said White during the broadcast
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NEED TO KNOW
- Shaun White joined NBC’s commentating team for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony on Friday, Feb. 6
- During the broadcast, many viewers expressed on social media that the three-time Olympic gold medalist discussed his own travels too much and was “not a great commentator”
- “We don’t need to hear about your glory days or that you’ve been to a lot of countries,” said one person on X
Shaun White is dividing opinions following his commentary during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
On Friday, Feb. 6, the athlete, 39, who retired from snowboarding in 2022, returned to the Winter Games as a part of NBC’s commentating team for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.
“I was so thrilled to hear that Italy was taking on this Olympics, just because I had such an incredible time in (in 2006) and I knew this would deliver on that magnitude," said White during the broadcast, per NBC Sports. "To be back here 20 years later is just incredible.”
Many viewers vented on social media about how much the three-time Olympic gold medalist discussed his own travels and personal anecdotes during the broadcast.
Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty
“Why is the Olympics opening ceremony just Shaun White talking about his world travels,” one person wrote on X.
"Can someone please tell Shaun White to stop talking!" another X user chimed in. "We don’t need to hear about your glory days or that you’ve been to a lot of countries or that you’ve never been to India but love Indian food. Great athlete but not a great commentator.”
Someone else on X quipped, “I’m so glad I know every country Shaun White has been to now.”
Another X user joked, "Take a shot every time Shaun White mentions his business ventures/brand 🙄 #OpeningCeremony #Olympics #MilanoCortina2026."
Disregarding the backlash, the snowboarder took to social media once the ceremony came to an end to express how “special” the night was for him.
“6th opening ceremony, 1st time broadcasting,” White wrote on TikTok alongside a short clip of the event before flipping the camera around to show himself wearing a headset. “Thank you watching tonight everyone, thank you @NBC Olympics & Paralympics, this one was special.”
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@shaunwhite
6th opening ceremony, 1st time broadcasting. Thank you for watching tonight everyone, thank you @NBC Olympics & Paralympics, this one was special
♬ Outro – M83
As for how White prepared to step into the role of commentator after competing in the Games five times over the years? He told PEOPLE that he was largely focused on “trying to really learn from everyone around me.”
“Obviously, I’m staying really in touch with what’s happening on and off the mountain,” he explained in a recent interview. “I went to a whole meeting today talking about the opening ceremony, how we’re gonna introduce certain athletes, subjects we wanna touch on, how it’s gonna flow through the show. I’m pretty excited about it. It’s definitely a different challenge.”
He also emphasized that being on the “other side of the fence” was just as exciting as competing in the games — just in a slightly different way.
“I can join all the festivities without this searing pressure to compete, to perform,” he said. “It's kind of nice to be on this side of it.”
When White was announced as part of the coverage team on Sept. 23, 2025, he described the opportunity in a press release as an "honor."
“I’m so excited to be part of the Opening Ceremony for the Milan Cortina Olympics,” White said. “The Olympics have been such a huge part of my life, and to return in this new role — celebrating the athletes, the energy, and the incredible backdrop of Italy — is truly an honor. I know what that moment means when the world is watching, and I can’t wait to help bring that magic to everyone at home.”
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.
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