Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty
French snowboarder Lucile Lefevre is ending her Olympic career with a bang.
In honor of theYear of the Tiger, the 26-year-old competed in a full-body tiger suit during the women’s big air qualification round at the2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Last week, the athlete suffered a competition-ending knee injury during the slopestyle event. The injury resulted in Lefevre being unable to attempt any tricks coming off the 155-foot big air ramp during Monday’s qualification, but she still wanted to participate — and have a little fun in the process.
Levefre borrowed a tiger suit from Swiss snowboarder Nicolas Huber, according toABC. The snowboarder took off and performed a straight-forward jump coming down the ramp, waving at the judges from mid-air.
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“I decided for the last one to just say hi to the judges. And especially the French one, because it’s a friend of mine,” she told reporters.
Lefevre ultimately finished last in the event but admitted she’s enjoying being a fan-favorite for the moment, adding, “Everyone wants a picture with me.”
“This was my last competition, what an honor today to be able to finish my career in the Olympics,” Levefre later reflected onInstagram, noting that she wishes she could’ve competed without her injuries.
To learn more about Team USA, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Winter Olympics, now, and the Paralympics, beginning March 4, on NBC.
source: people.com
