Sochi 2014: Olympic Winter Games

By Lorena Coleman

    The 2014 Winter Olympics finished up this weekend in Sochi, Russia, with the United States placing second in total medal count, and fourth in Gold medal count. The Games were held from February 7-23, and showcased the best athletes in the world as they competed for Gold.

Team USA got off to a great start when athletes Sage Kotsenburg and Jamie Anderson placed first in Men’s and Women’s Slopestyle, the first events of the 22nd Winter Games, gaining the United States two gold medals.

    Unfortunately, the team also had it’s share of upsets. Snowboarder Shaun White competed in the half-pipe hoping to get a third consecutive gold medal in the event. White was in first place for Qualifiers with a score of 95.75. However, White didn’t perform the run he was hoping for, and in return placed fourth, just off the medal stand. Alpine Skier Bode Miller, who has medaled five times in the Winter Olympics, was looking for Gold in downhill, but ended up placing 8th in the event. He went on to receive a bronze medal for placing third in Super-G.

To counteract the upsets, Team USA members Meryl Davis and Charlie White placed first in Ice Dancing with 195.52 points. The reigning world champs skated a practically flawless performance, achieving the highest score ever recorded for the event. This marked the first time Team USA has received a gold medal in Ice Dancing. Other notable successes throughout the Olympics include Kaitlyn Farrington placing first in women’s snowboard halfpipe, and 18 yr. old Mikaela Shiffrin winning a gold medal in Slalom to become the youngest woman to place first in the event.

There were many triumphs as well as heartbreaks for Team USA at this year’s games. Overall, the team filled with a record-breaking 230 incredible athletes still managed to earn 28 Olympic medals, making the Sochi 2014 Games one to remember.