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Winter Olympics 2014: the gold medal hopefuls on Team USA Winter Olympics 2014: the gold medal hopefuls on Team USA
(7 months later)
The United States sent the biggest athlete contingent in history, for any country, to the winter Olympic Games this week. The depth of Team USA’s 230-athlete contingent will help with the final medal count, but Canada, Germany, Norway and Russia offer some strong competition that could tip the US out of the top three.The United States sent the biggest athlete contingent in history, for any country, to the winter Olympic Games this week. The depth of Team USA’s 230-athlete contingent will help with the final medal count, but Canada, Germany, Norway and Russia offer some strong competition that could tip the US out of the top three.
The US roster is filled with world champions, 106 returning Olympians and athletes who are recognized as pioneers in the new winter Olympics events like snowboard and ski slopestyle. US athletes are participating in 94 of the 98 Olympic events and many have a good chance of taking home a medal, if not the gold.The US roster is filled with world champions, 106 returning Olympians and athletes who are recognized as pioneers in the new winter Olympics events like snowboard and ski slopestyle. US athletes are participating in 94 of the 98 Olympic events and many have a good chance of taking home a medal, if not the gold.
Gold medal contendersGold medal contenders
Sarah Hendrickson – ski jumpingSarah Hendrickson – ski jumping
Why she’s a threat: The 19-year-old national and worldwide champion is one of the youngest people to earn a US title, world championship gold medal and world cup globe. She grew up training at Utah Olympic park and is the daughter and sister of ski jumpers. If she wins, she’d would own the first-ever gold medal for women’s ski jumping, which was introduced in these games. Why she’s a threat: The 19-year-old national and worldwide champion is one of the youngest people to earn a US title, world championship gold medal and world cup globe. She grew up training at Utah Olympic park and is the daughter and sister of ski jumpers. If she wins, she’d would own the first-ever gold medal for women’s ski jumping, which was introduced in these games.
What could stop her? A knee injury sidelined her for six months last year.What could stop her? A knee injury sidelined her for six months last year.
Rivals: Sarah Takanashi (Japan), Carina Vogt (Germany)Rivals: Sarah Takanashi (Japan), Carina Vogt (Germany)
Shani Davis – speed-skatingShani Davis – speed-skating
Why he’s a threat: Davis won gold in 1,000m and silver in 1,500m in the past two Winter Olympics. Of the 48 World Cup medals he won for the 1000m, 41 are gold. The 31-year-old Chicago-native is the first black athlete to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Olympics and could become the first male Olympian to win an individual event at three successive Olympics.Why he’s a threat: Davis won gold in 1,000m and silver in 1,500m in the past two Winter Olympics. Of the 48 World Cup medals he won for the 1000m, 41 are gold. The 31-year-old Chicago-native is the first black athlete to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Olympics and could become the first male Olympian to win an individual event at three successive Olympics.
What could stop him? A tear in his right thigh muscle.What could stop him? A tear in his right thigh muscle.
Rivals: Denis Yuskov (Russia), Havard Bokko (Norway)Rivals: Denis Yuskov (Russia), Havard Bokko (Norway)
Jamie Anderson – snowboard slopestyleJamie Anderson – snowboard slopestyle
Why she’s a threat: Before the Olympics even officially began, Anderson had already posted some of the highest marks in the qualifying round for women’s slopestyle. Her score, the second highest of the day, means she can skip semifinals and head to straight to the final round on Sunday. Anderson’s decision to focus on snowboard slopestyle has led her to become one of the most dominant competitors in the sport, at 23-years-old.Why she’s a threat: Before the Olympics even officially began, Anderson had already posted some of the highest marks in the qualifying round for women’s slopestyle. Her score, the second highest of the day, means she can skip semifinals and head to straight to the final round on Sunday. Anderson’s decision to focus on snowboard slopestyle has led her to become one of the most dominant competitors in the sport, at 23-years-old.
What could stop her? The world stage – her best performances were at North American competitions.What could stop her? The world stage – her best performances were at North American competitions.
Rivals: Anna Gasser (Austria), Karly Shorr (USA)Rivals: Anna Gasser (Austria), Karly Shorr (USA)
The men’s bobsleigh teamThe men’s bobsleigh team
Why they’re a threat: The four-man team also known as the “Night Train”, consists of the same four men who brought home the gold medal in Vancouver. Steve Holcomb, a decorated bobsled veteran, is piloting the team and has said he wants to win gold in the two and four man events, a feat that has only happened five times. Curt Tomasevicz, Steve Langton and Chris Fogt will be the push crew for this sled. Why they’re a threat: The four-man team also known as the “Night Train”, consists of the same four men who brought home the gold medal in Vancouver. Steve Holcomb, a decorated bobsled veteran, is piloting the team and has said he wants to win gold in the two and four man events, a feat that has only happened five times. Curt Tomasevicz, Steve Langton and Chris Fogt will be the push crew for this sled.
What could stop them? That gold was the first for a four-man US team since 1948.What could stop them? That gold was the first for a four-man US team since 1948.
Rivals: Canada, GermanyRivals: Canada, Germany
Julia Mancuso – alpine skiingJulia Mancuso – alpine skiing
Why she’s a threat: She is a veteran of three Olympics and is the most decorated female ski racer in US history. For more than a decade, she’s quietly collected awards, including a record-setting three Olympic medals. This could be the 29-year-old’s time for the spotlight, after finishing second in Vancouver to fellow American Lindsey Vonn, who is out of the Olympics with a knee injury.Why she’s a threat: She is a veteran of three Olympics and is the most decorated female ski racer in US history. For more than a decade, she’s quietly collected awards, including a record-setting three Olympic medals. This could be the 29-year-old’s time for the spotlight, after finishing second in Vancouver to fellow American Lindsey Vonn, who is out of the Olympics with a knee injury.
What could stop her? Equipment.What could stop her? Equipment.
Rivals: Tina Maze (Slovakia) , Maria Hoefl-Riesch (Germany)Rivals: Tina Maze (Slovakia) , Maria Hoefl-Riesch (Germany)
The women’s hockey teamThe women’s hockey team
Why they’re a threat:The women’s hockey narrative has been dominated by US and Canada since it debuted at the Olympics in 1998. While Canada took home the gold in 2010 and at the 2012 world championships, the US won four of six pre-tournament games. Both teams will be at the same disadvantage of playing on a rink larger than those used in North America.Why they’re a threat:The women’s hockey narrative has been dominated by US and Canada since it debuted at the Olympics in 1998. While Canada took home the gold in 2010 and at the 2012 world championships, the US won four of six pre-tournament games. Both teams will be at the same disadvantage of playing on a rink larger than those used in North America.
What could stop them? The neighbors to the north.What could stop them? The neighbors to the north.
Rivals: CanadaRivals: Canada
Shaun White – snowboarding halfpipeShaun White – snowboarding halfpipe
Why he’s a threat: A fan favorite even before winning gold in the men’s halfpipe at the 2006 and 2010 winter games, White has also won 13 Winter X Games titles and is a three-time World Cup gold medalist. He pulled out of the slopestyle race, which could mean more rest and better focus for his signature event.Why he’s a threat: A fan favorite even before winning gold in the men’s halfpipe at the 2006 and 2010 winter games, White has also won 13 Winter X Games titles and is a three-time World Cup gold medalist. He pulled out of the slopestyle race, which could mean more rest and better focus for his signature event.
What could stop him? Injured wrist.What could stop him? Injured wrist.
Rivals: Iouri Podladtchikov (Switzerland), Taku Hiraoka (Japan)Rivals: Iouri Podladtchikov (Switzerland), Taku Hiraoka (Japan)
Ted Ligety – alpine skiingTed Ligety – alpine skiing
Why he’s a threat: While Bode Miller became the best known name in men’s skiing, Ligety quietly racked up international competition wins, including four world championships and international medals. After winning a gold in the super combined at Turin, he failed to take home a medal in Vancouver, so he’s extra motivated to top the stands in this year’s competition.Why he’s a threat: While Bode Miller became the best known name in men’s skiing, Ligety quietly racked up international competition wins, including four world championships and international medals. After winning a gold in the super combined at Turin, he failed to take home a medal in Vancouver, so he’s extra motivated to top the stands in this year’s competition.
What could stop him? Exhaustion.What could stop him? Exhaustion.
Rivals: Bode Miller (USA), Aksel Lund Svindal (Norway)Rivals: Bode Miller (USA), Aksel Lund Svindal (Norway)