Author: Gil Alcaraz|Kara McVey
As the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada came to a close, 5,500 athletes and officials headed back to their home countries. Over 200 athletes made the trip back to the United States after competing tenaciously, and brought home a total of 37 medals, the largest total of any competing country. Some of the U.S.’ s brightest moments came in sports such as men’s and women’s hockey, men’s snowboarding and men’s speed skating, among others.
One substantial achievement for the U.S. was the men’s hockey team’s ability to withstand the heavily favored Canadian team in the qualifying rounds. The two teams met again in the final game, which was forced into overtime after ending with two goals apiece at the end of regulation. The game ended in a 3-2 Canadian win, and although the U.S. team was disappointed, they came away with a silver medal.
The women’s hockey team also came away with a silver medal. Coming into the finals against Canada, the team scored an impressive collective forty goals against its opponents. The team was led by Jenny Potter, who accounted for seven of those goals. Unfortunately, the women were unable to score any goals against Canada, coming away with a 0-2 loss and the silver medal.
In the men’s half-pipe competition, Shaun White stole the show. He blew the opposition away in the finals, scoring a 46.8 on his first run and a 48.5 on his second to earn himself the gold medal. Fellow American Scott Lago came in third, earning himself a bronze medal and a spot on the podium alongside White. Seth Wescott of the U.S. team competed in the men’s snowboarding cross, passing the finish line first to earn himself an Olympic gold medal and a place in the Olympic record books.
When it was time for the speed skating competitions to begin, there was one name that was the center of most conversations. U.S. speed skater Shani Davis displayed his outstanding athletic abilities in Vancouver, coming away with a gold medal in the men’s 1,000 meter and a silver in the men’s 1,500 meter. In doing so, he defended his 2006 title as reigning gold medalist in the men’s 1000 meter.
Apolo Anton Ohno, known for his outstanding displays in previous Olympic games as well as his decision to pull out of the 2003 World Cup due to death threats, competed this year in Vancouver as a short track speed skater. With five medals already under his belt, Ohno won three more, surpassing Bonnie Blair as the all-time leader in Winter Olympic medals won for the U.S.
The U.S. displayed its determination from the hockey rink to the sledding track. Overall, the U.S. came away with 37 medals, including nine gold, 15 silver and 13 bronze.
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