‘Never expressed this before’: Scotty James brings ‘GOAT’ to tears

Scotty James only just missed out on his coveted gold medal but the Aussie star has shared something with Shaun White he’d never said before.

Beijing silver medallist Scotty James has shared a special moment with retiring snowboard legend Shaun White after a riveting final to half-pipe competition.

White declared he would retired from snowboarding at the end of the Olympics after five Olympics, three gold medals and the mantle as the man who has made the sport what it is.

White revolutionised the sport and made it what it is today as the likes of James and new gold medallist Ayumu Hirano have overtaken the 35-year-old and taken the sport to new heights.

But everything the new generation have achieve has come on the shoulders of a giant named Shaun White.

White could only manage fourth and couldn’t finish his final un as Hirano and James battled it out for the top step of the podium.

James was the man who first put the pressure on White, having usurped his world No. 1 ranking in 2013-14 and building one of the sport’s biggest rivalries.

But while the respect was obvious, the pair never seemed to be best buddies as they wanted to take each other down.

Scotty James oozes class. Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

And now an emotional White’s career is over, James took the first possible opportunity to tell the American how he really feels.

“You know, I’ve never expressed it to Shaun, obviously huge respect to him,” James said. “I mean the guy is the GOAT. To ride here and compete with him and also become a rival over the years has been a rival over the years has been insane.

“What I have never said before, it’s a really tough and interesting situation where you come up with against a guy like Shaun White who I looked up to when I was younger and I aspired to be like you.

“There’s this level where I get to where I become competitive. I have a lot of respect for him. But as a competitor, I almost have to get rid of the respect because we’re both out here trying to do the same thing.

“That’s been amazing journey to feel that emotion and watch him do this thing. Me then becoming rivals with him.

“No man, honestly … It’s been incredible to be here with you in this final and PyeongChang and all the best.”

White replied: “I didn’t picture it any other way. I would have done it the same.

“I’m so proud. I mean, even in qualifying, they are asking me about my favourites and you have been on my heels every step of the way. I’m … Sorry, it’s been an emotional … I’m proud of you, man. Truly proud.”

The pair then shared an emotional hug.

Didn’t take much to make White cry today. Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

James then also tried to recruit White to help him complete his trophy cabinet which already has PyeongChang bronze and now Beijing silver — Milan gold sounds good.

“If you have the time, I have one more medal I need. If you want to help,” James said.

“I’ll back you,” White added.

World farewells a true legend

The second White got up from his final trip down the half-pipe, the tears were flowing for the superstar.

The 35-year-old said he was “in awe” of what he had achieved in the sport and “proud” to leave it to the next generation of riders.

“Everybody was asking me what my legacy in the sport has been and I’m like ‘you’re watching it’,” said a tearful White, stopping often to compose himself as he spoke to reporters.

“These younger riders have been on my heels every step of the way and to see them surpass me is I think deep down what I always wanted.”

White has been the face of snowboarding since he burst onto the Olympic scene as a 19-year-old at the 2006 Turin Games.

He won gold in the half-pipe in 2006 and 2010 before missing out on a medal in a shock upset at the 2014 Sochi Games.

But he regained his crown four years later in PyeongChang with a dramatic last ride, which he described as his “legacy performance”.

He has struggled in recent years and announced last week that the Beijing Games would be his last competition, citing the “little signs” from his ageing body.

He called snowboarding “the love of my life” and said he had been “on a mission” since he got his first board.

“Nobody thought I was going to amount to much in my life and in my career,” he said.

“To feel this need to prove myself and do it over and over and over – I’m just so proud of that, every step of the way.”

Shaun White is one of the greatest every athletes. Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

The World was quick to pay tribute upon his farewell.

NBCs Taylor Wirth tweeted: “No doubt that Shaun White will be just as cool in retirement as Tony Hawk has been for years.”

US Olympic and Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland wrote: “A legendary career. Thank you for all that you’ve poured into @TeamUSA. Congratulations @shaunwhite!”

US soccer player Kelli Hubly wrote: “Okay, @shaunwhite is breaking my heart. He’s been snowboarding for as long as I can remember. I’m so sad he’s retiring”.

WIBW Sports reporter Mitchel Summers added: “I grew up watching Shaun White.

He was such an icon to me. The Olympic/X Game Golds, the Perfect 100, the incredible tricks, the hair, the swagger. He became one of the greatest American athletes while being authentically himself. I’ll always appreciate that. I’ll miss that.”

— with AFP