PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — Shaun White apologized after dismissing the sexual misconduct allegations made against him in a 2016 lawsuit as “gossip” shortly after winning his third Olympic gold medal in the men’s halfpipe Wednesday.

White was asked during a news conference if the sexual harassment allegations might tarnish his reputation.

“I’m here to talk about the Olympics, not gossip and stuff,” he said. “I don’t think so.”

White later said on NBC’s “Today” show he used “a poor choice of words to describe such a sensitive subject.”

“I’m just truly sorry,” he said. “I was so overwhelmed with just wanting to talk about how amazing today was and share my experience.”

White also said he has “grown as a person over the years” and is “proud of who I am today.”

Shiffrin wins GS for 2nd career Olympic gold

Mikaela Shiffrin, a 22-year-old American used a hard-charging final run to win the giant slalom Thursday for her second career Olympic title. She trailed by 0.20 seconds after the first run but powered through a course filled with ruts to quickly make up time in the second run.

Shiffrin ended up 0.39 seconds ahead of Ragnhild Mowinckel of Norway at Yongpyong Alpine Center. Federica Brignone of Italy took bronze, 0.46 behind Shiffrin’s combined time of 2 minutes, 20.02 seconds. First-run leader Manuela Moelgg of Italy wound up eighth.

More Dutch gold

Jorien ter Mors of the Netherlands won the women’s 1,000-meter speedskating race, making the Dutch team 5-for-5 in the sport so far at the Pyeonchang Games. Her time of 1:13.56 set an Olympic record.

U.S. falls in overtime

Jan Mursak scored 38 seconds into overtime — his second goal of the game — as Slovenia rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period to stun the United States in their opening game of the men’s hockey preliminary round.