7 Reasons to Cheer For Team USA Snowboarder Alex Deibold
The USA snowboarding team is a little hotter with Alex Deibold on the roster. The 32-year-old competed in his first Olympics in Sochi, Russia, in 2014, winning a bronze medal. Now, he's going for the gold at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. Before we watch him compete in snowboard cross, here are seven reasons — straight from the US Olympics Committee and the NBC Olympics team — you will want to cheer him on!
He Has Been on the Mountains Since He Was in Diapers — Practically
Alex says he first started skiing at the age of 2, and clearly the rest is history. "I don't even remember the first time I saw snowboarding, but I asked my mom for one for Christmas at age 4," Alex says. "It is my lifestyle sport, and I'll be doing it long after I retire from competition."
He Loves Dogs
The Boulder, CO, native is a huge dog-lover, as seen on his Instagram. Not only is his puppy, Stella, adorable, but he also rescued her. He says Stella taught him what real pet love is and that she is "pretty much the best dog ever."
He's a Passionate Advocate For the Environment
When he's not in the mountains, Alex dedicates time to fighting climate change through the environmental organization Protect Our Winters (POW). He recently traveled to Washington DC to meet with members of Congress to talk about the issue, and he has also been educating the younger generation about it. He says he does it because of the direct impact climate change has on his career and the things he is most passionate about.
He Works a Part-time Job
If you're looking for a bike in Boulder, Alex may be the guy to help you find one. During the Summer, he works part time at a bike shop in town. "I love bikes, so it was a way to make income and support another passion of mine."
He and His Wife Are Too Cute
One look at their pictures, and you can tell Alex and his wife, Ashley, were made for each other. The adventurous couple got married a few months ago in a beautiful ceremony, and he says he has never been happier.
He's an Avid Outdoorsman
From hiking to mountain cycling, backpacking to rock climbing or surfing, Alex really can do it all and make it look easy. If he's not snowboarding or working, you will definitely find him outdoors, on some kind of adventure.
He Isn't Afraid to Bare It ALL
Alex can rock a Speedo and has even gone completely naked on a cliff, which you can see on his Instagram. Trust us, you won't want to miss it.
You can catch Alex on the slopes when the Winter Olympics begin on Feb 8. To learn more about Alex, visit Team USA.