Year-ender: Major sporting upsets of 2014

Shaun White flops at the Sochi Winter Olympics

Shaun White of the US reacts after the men's snowboard halfpipe final at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games, in Rosa Khutor in this February 11, 2014 file photo. [Photo/IC]

The major draw of the 2014 Winter Games turned out to be one of its biggest disappointments after pulling out of his first event and failing to win a medal in his second.

After talking up his chances of completing a stunning double, United States' snowboarder Shaun White withdrew from the Slopestyle, before his eight-year reign as Olympic halfpipe champion ended in a shock fourth-place finish.

It all proved a major letdown for the fans who made the arduous journey to the Russian resort hoping to see him produce his best gravity-defying tricks.