An Olympic Update: Skating

By Jason Endres

The 2006 Winter Olympic Games is well underway, and the United States has had a good showing at the Olympic Games thus far, however, there have been a handful of let downs for the team. In no particular order, here are the most important stories so far for the United States Olympic Team.

Michelle Kwan Withdraws from Olympics

In a shocking announcement last week, USA Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan withdrew from competition because of a groin injury. Kwan is well known and was a favorite going into the games. She has won five World Championships and nine US Championships. Although Kwan may be the most decorated figure skater in American history, she lacks an Olympic Gold Medal. She won the silver in Nagano in 1998 and the bronze at the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002. Kwan decided to continue to skate until the 2006 Olympics to try to win the Olympic Gold Medal. The injury ended Kwan’s decade long quest to be an Olympic Champion. Emily Hughes, sister of 2002 Olympic Champion Sarah Hughes, will take Kwan’s place in the event. After the short program, Sasha Cohen leads going into the free skate.

US Places Well in Speed Skating

Apolo Anton Ohno won the bronze medal in the men’s 1000 meter race. In the 2002 Olympics, Ohno was sent 16,000 hate mail letters from fanatical South Korean speed skating fans after Ohno was given the gold medal in the 1500 meter race due to a South Korean skater being disqualified. Ohno has two events left to compete in at this Olympic Games and both of those events are on Saturday; the final day of the Olympics.

The USA has dominated in Men’s Speed Skating. The team has won gold in each of the three individual events so far. The United States took first and second finish in the 1,000 meter race. Shani Davis was the first African-American male to ever win a gold medal at a Winter Olympics. Davis and fellow teammate Chad Hedrick are intense rivals. It is widely known that the two athletes do not like each other. After Davis won the 1,000 meter event, Hedrick did not even congratulate his teammate. In the 1500 meter the United States took second and third place finishes, won by Davis and Hedrick, respectively. First place went to Italy’s Enrico Fabris with a time of 1:45.97.

Disappointing Performances in Hockey

The USA Women’s team had its most unsuccessful performance in Olympic History. Women’s Ice Hockey was first introduced at the 1998 Olympic Games in Nagano, Japan. The USA won gold in Nagano and silver in the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. In the 2006 Olympics, most people thought a showdown with Canada was inevitable, however, the USA was defeated by Sweden in the semifinals to prevent the USA women from competing in its third consecutive gold medal game.
The Men’s Hockey team has not faired well at all. They lost in the quarter-finals to Finland 4-3.

Predictions for Week 2 (as of 2/20)

The first week of the Winter Olympics was interesting and fun, but the second week of the Olympics is when things start to really heat up. Rivals get to compete again and the glamour events of the Winter Olympics take place this week. Below are five bold predictions for Week 2.

Americans Will Not Medal in Ladies Figuring Skating
Anton Ohno Will Medal in the Short Track 500 Meter Race
No more crashes for Bode Miller at these Olympic Games
Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick will finish 1st and 2nd in the Men’s 1500 meter Speed Skating Race which will be the most exciting event at these Olympics
The USA Men’s Hockey Team will win its Quarterfinal Game and will have a chance at a medal