Key athletes promise an exciting Winter Olympics

Caitie Beth Shauck, General Staff
January 25, 2010
Filed under Sports, Sports News

Every four years, the world comes together to take part in the time-honored tradition of the Winter Olympics.  This year’s games kick off on February 12 in Vancouver.  Unfortunately, local favorite Kimmie Meissner will not be returning for her second Olympics due to an injury.  Nonetheless, this year’s games see the return of many fan-favorite athletes from across the country for Team U.S.A.

Among them is arguably the most recognizable Olympian, twenty-three year old snowboarder Shaun White from California.  White is better known as the “Flying Tomato,” a nickname that developed in reference to his flaming red hair.  After winning gold on the half pipe at the 2006 Olympic Games in Torino, White became a household name.  With this fame also came fortune, as White has become one of the top paid action sports stars. 

Another snowboarder who experienced success with a gold medal from the half pipe in Torino is twenty-three year old Hannah Teter from Vermont.  Teter has used her success to benefit others, starting her own charity, Hannah’s Gold.  Through this charity, Teter donates her earnings from competitions, along with the money made from selling Vermont maple syrup, to a village in Kenya.  The money is then used to improve water quality conditions.

Next to Teter on the podium in 2006 was Gretchen Bleiler, who received the silver medal for snowboarding on the half pipe.  The twenty-eight year old from Colorado has become the face of women’s snowboarding in the U.S. 

Returning for his third Olympics is twenty-seven year old short track speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno from Washington.  In 2002, he won a silver medal and a gold medal, and in 2006, he took home two bronze medals and one gold medal.  Ohno gained further fame when he competed in and won the reality show competition “Dancing with the Stars” in 2007 with partner Julianne Hough. 

Louie Vito is another “Dancing with the Stars” alum.  The twenty-one year old snowboarder from Ohio will be making his Olympic debut.

A pair to watch on the ice this year is twenty-five year old Tanith Belbin from Michigan and her partner, twenty-eight year old Ben Agosto from Illinois.  Together, they took home the silver medal for ice dancing at the 2006 games.  This was the first time in thirty years that a U.S. pair landed on the podium for ice dancing, and the duo will attempt to improve and bring home the gold for Team U.S.A.

Twenty-five year old figure skater Johnny Weir performed for the U.S. Olympic team in Torino.  Although he did not earn a medal in 2006, he produced an unforgettable program in which he dressed like a swan, complete with a red glove serving as the beak.  He recently placed third at the 2010 U.S. National Championships.

Other Olympians to watch include thirty-six year old curler Debbie McCormick from Wisconsin, who will be appearing in her third Olympic games.  She also appeared in the 1998 and 2002 games. 

On the slopes, keep an eye out for twenty-five year old Lindsey Vonn from Colorado, who will be competing in her third Olympic games.  In 2006, she won the women’s U.S. Olympic Spirit Award after racing despite having sustained injuries to her back and legs during training. 

Caitie Beth Shauck can be reach for comment at cshauck@jcpatriot.com.