Every four years, nations come together to watch 15 sports, 98 events and 294 medals handed out. It all started Feb. 6 at the Sochi Winter Olympics.
Though there has been talk of terrorist threats, protests and scrutiny over Russia’s lack of preparation, these factors have not stopped 230 world-class American athletes from
competing.
Made up of 125 men and 105 women, Team USA will be the largest athlete delegation for any nation in Winter Olympics history.
The United States claimed the first gold medal in the men’s slopestyle event as snowboarder Sage Kostenburg completed an almost perfect run to win the crown.
A highlight from the games so far includes the U.S. men’s hockey team success, winning in overtime against Russia and defeating the Czech Republic to advance to the semi-final. They will play Canada Feb. 21 to square off for a spot in the gold-medal game.
Tate Walters, sophomore business administration major, whose favorite events to watch are the snowboarding and skiing events, said he is “looking forward to watching the U.S. in as many events possible.”
Other highlights include David Wise winning the first Olympic halfpipe skiing gold; Meryl Davis and Charlie White winning a historic ice dancing gold medal, an event that the U.S. has never won gold in; the U.S. women’s bobsled teams winning silver and bronze medals; and Steven Holcomb and Steve Langton winning a bronze medal in the two-man bobsled event after a 62-year medal drought.
Jenna Perry, freshman liberal studies major, said her favorite events to watch are snowboarding and speed skating.
“I like the Winter Olympics because the competitors are just as athletic and skilled as the summer athletes,” she said. “They just do it with snow
and ice.”
On Feb. 19, the United States jumped to the top of the overall medal count. They are leading with a total of 23 medals, including seven gold, 11 silver and five bronze.
