Winter Olympics
Matt Allen '22 Staff Writer
ZHANGJIAKOU, CHINA, FEBRUARY 10, 2022 - Team USA’s star snowboarder Chloe Kim is smiling after winning the gold medal in the Women’s Snowboard Halfpipe. T.CLAYTON/CORBIS SPORT
It took five days for Team USA to win their first gold medal in this year’s Winter Olympics. On February 4th, 2022, the Olympic cauldron was lit to announce the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. Team USA earned a total of 25 medals, placing them in fifth, just behind Canada (26), Germany (26), Russian Olympic Committee (32) and Norway (37.)
Team USA did not have the best performance this year. However, they were able to maintain their two world records for the most medals in snowboarding and freestyle skiing.
Kamiela Valieva, a 15 year old Russian skater was confirmed to be using a banned substance. She had an amazing performance and became the first female skater to land a quadruple jump. She was expected to win gold for Russia, but after days of rumors, she was found to be using a banned substance and was disqualified.
Veteran snowboarder Shaun White had his last Olympic run this year. He placed fourth in the snowboard halfpipe, which he has previously won gold three times before. This makes him the most decorated olympic snowboarder ever. His first ever Winter Olympics was in 2006, and of course, he won gold. He also has participated in every X Games since 2002 and has won a medal every year.
Canada won the gold medal for women's ice hockey. The long-time rivals of team USA won by one point with a score of 3-2. Since 1998, when ice hockey was introduced, Canada or USA has won every gold medal. For the fourth time, team USA will take home a silver medal. Canada started off the game strong with three points before USA could score. With just 13 seconds left in the game USA scored its second goal, but at that point, it was too late.
Team USA’s Nick Baumgartner and Lindsey Jacobellis won gold in the first ever mixed-team snowboarding cross. At 36 years old, Lindsey Jacobellis is the oldest American to win a gold medal.
Team USA snowboarder Chloe Kim, who won gold at the 2018 winter olympics, won gold to defend her title in the halfpipe. It wasn't an easy ride, though. For the 2018-19 academic year she quit snowboarding and enrolled in Princeton University. Kim told reporters, “I don’t want to be here as the snowboarder. I want to be here as a student. I want to be like everyone else.” She then ended her 22 month hiatus and begun snowboarding once again.
Team USA did not have the best performance this year. However, they were able to maintain their two world records for the most medals in snowboarding and freestyle skiing.
Kamiela Valieva, a 15 year old Russian skater was confirmed to be using a banned substance. She had an amazing performance and became the first female skater to land a quadruple jump. She was expected to win gold for Russia, but after days of rumors, she was found to be using a banned substance and was disqualified.
Veteran snowboarder Shaun White had his last Olympic run this year. He placed fourth in the snowboard halfpipe, which he has previously won gold three times before. This makes him the most decorated olympic snowboarder ever. His first ever Winter Olympics was in 2006, and of course, he won gold. He also has participated in every X Games since 2002 and has won a medal every year.
Canada won the gold medal for women's ice hockey. The long-time rivals of team USA won by one point with a score of 3-2. Since 1998, when ice hockey was introduced, Canada or USA has won every gold medal. For the fourth time, team USA will take home a silver medal. Canada started off the game strong with three points before USA could score. With just 13 seconds left in the game USA scored its second goal, but at that point, it was too late.
Team USA’s Nick Baumgartner and Lindsey Jacobellis won gold in the first ever mixed-team snowboarding cross. At 36 years old, Lindsey Jacobellis is the oldest American to win a gold medal.
Team USA snowboarder Chloe Kim, who won gold at the 2018 winter olympics, won gold to defend her title in the halfpipe. It wasn't an easy ride, though. For the 2018-19 academic year she quit snowboarding and enrolled in Princeton University. Kim told reporters, “I don’t want to be here as the snowboarder. I want to be here as a student. I want to be like everyone else.” She then ended her 22 month hiatus and begun snowboarding once again.