Well, the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics are over, and the United States can look back on two weeks of drama, excitement, and overall success.
The major talking point of American Olympic fans up until this point was hockey. The U.S. Men’s national team went into Sochi with talent and confidence, but unfortunately was not able to win that gold medal we’ve been waiting for over the past 34 years. Both the U.S. Women’s and Men’s national hockey teams were able to advance far into the tournament, but lost in a heartbreaking fashion to the Canadian team. The Women’s team lost a 3-2 overtime thriller after losing a two-goal lead, and the Men’s team was not able to score at all against a strong Canadian team, losing 1-0.
Other than the lack of a gold medal in hockey, the U.S. Olympic Team was largely successful in Sochi. Skiers Ted Ligety and Bode Miller were able to bring home gold and bronze in Men’s Alpine Skiing events. The Men’s Two-Man Bobsled Team was able to bring home an important bronze medal for the Americans, and 18-year old American Skier Mikaela Shiffrin made history when she became the youngest ever gold medal winner in the slalom event. In speed skating, although high favorite American skater Shani Davis was unable to medal in Sochi, the U.S. Short Track team was able to bring home the silver in the Men’s 5000m Relay.