The Winter Olympic
Games. I know it sounds quite cliché, but it is where dreams come true.
Athletes from all around the world come together to compete for their country.
Most have been practicing their sport since they have been toddlers. Take
Gracie Gold for example. She has been figure skating since she was able to walk
and is already a gold medal contender at the age of 18. Polina Edmunds, a 15
year old described by her teammates as "dynamite"', has also been
praised, "despite the pressure of being at the Olympics, she is completely
unfazed, with iron in her bones". Bode Miller, a veteran to the Olympics,
just received his sixth Olympic medal in the Men's Super G. In an interview
after his run, he was asked about his eventful past year, and things began to
get emotional. His brother, Chelone, Chilly called by his friends, and who was
an Olympic hopeful for snowboarding, had experienced a traumatic brain injury
in a dirt bike accident a few years prior. Bode and Chilly became even closer
when Bode realized that he could lose his brother at any given moment. That
dreaded moment came in April of 2013, when Chilly was found in his van
unresponsive. He died that day of an apparent seizure due to his epilepsy, a
lasting effect from the accident that he was in. Although in different sports,
Bode and his brother were planning on competing in the Olympics together.
During the interview, he began to break down as the interviewer asked him about
his brother. He claimed his brother not being there was his motivation to do
better, hoping to make him proud. Sure enough he did, tying for bronze in the
Men's Super G. The Team USA two-man bobsled, including Steve Holcomb and Steve
Langton received a bronze medal, the first bobsled medal for Team USA since
1956. In the men's freestyle skiing, the Americans swept the medal stand,
earning the gold, silver, and bronze medals. Team skate, new to the Olympics
this year, resulted in the US taking the bronze medal. In the ice dancing part
of the competition, a pair of skaters became the best in the world. Meryl Davis
and Charlie White conquered the medal stand by taking home the gold and a new
world record. In the women's luge, American Erin Hamlin took home the bronze.
In snowboarding, the US has taken four medals, three gold and one silver. The
most known snowboarding medal is Sage Kotsenburg, who had received the gold by
less than a point. In skeleton, Noelle Pikus-Pace took home silver and Matt
Antoine got bronze. The US women's hockey team has only lost one close game
against Canada. The other games they played have been complete domination.
Their first game against Finland was a three to one win. Their second game,
versus Switzerland, was a shutout and a nine goal win. Their next game, against
Canada, they lost with a score of 3-2. The gold medal qualifying game was
against Sweden, and the US crushed them in a 6-1 victory. The US and Canada are
expected to face off for an epic gold medal game on February 20th. The US
men's hockey team has not lost a game yet this tournament. Since there are 12
teams in the tournament, there are three different groups of teams, Group A, B,
and C. Through the preliminary rounds, USA is the leader of group A, Canada is
the leader of group B, and Sweden is the leader of group C. All teams have
their own special advantages. USA and Sweden are bulked up with stars from the
NHL. The Canadian team has 8 captains playing on their team, three of
which are the co-leaders of Canada, the Captain Sidney Crosby and alternates
Jonathan Toews and Shea Weber. But hockey is only one sport. The Winter
Olympics is something that happens once every four years and showcases some of
the best athletes from all around the world.
