The X Games take place this weekend, and for the first time in over a decade, Shaun White will not be attending. White announced yesterday that he would be foregoing participation in order to better prepare for next month Olympics in Sochi.

“I’ve been competing in the X Games since I was 13 years old, they are a huge part of why I am where I am and they are vital to the sport,” White said in a statement on XGames.com. “Unfortunately, when I arrived at the mountain and looked over the schedule, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to complete the kind of training I know I need in order to prepare for Sochi. It’s an incredibly tough decision for me and it’s not something I take lightly, […] but I have to make sure I’m prepared for the Olympics.”

This announcement came a few weeks after negotiations back and forth with ESPN, with White making the final call on Wednesday. What may have prompted the decision is his recent history of ankle and shoulder injuries. Though he had been looking better, putting up an impressive performance at Mammoth Mountain last week ensured his place on the U.S. half-pipe roster.

Many of his teammates will be participating in the X Games, but White is focused on adding to his two Olympic gold medals this season. He will enter the Olympics the heavy favorite to top the podium.