U S Poised For Strong Winter Olympics in Vancouver
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As the 2010 Winter Olympics Games begin in Vancouver, B.C. Canada, the United states send another strong team to compete for gold medals.
The America team is strong as ever and has a very deep team loaded with star athletes. Several of the key Olympic athletes to watch include: short track skater Apolo Anton Ohno, skier Lindsey Vonn, snowboarder Shaun White and long track skater Shani Davis.
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Apolo Anton Ohno –
Speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno is poised to become the all-time medal winner in U.S. Winter Olympic history. Ohno previously won two gold, one silver and two bronze Olympic medals in the last 2 Winter Olympics. By winning a medal in the Vancouver games, Apolo Anton Ohno will surpass fellow speed skater Eric Heiden as the U.S. male Olympic medal winner.
If 27 year old Apolo Anton Ohno wins two Olympic medals, he will he become the most decorated American Olympian ever and pass long-track speed skater Bonnie Blair. Ohno is considered a strong threat the following speed skate races: 500, 1,000, and 5,000-meter relay.
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Lindsay Vonn –
Lindsay Vonn may well become the most popular athlete by the end of these Winter Olympic Games. Lindsay Vonn is 25 years old and superstar Alpine skier. Vonn has dominated the World Cup circuit over past ski season. Lindsay won eight different races, setting herself up as a top favorite for multiples gold medals in Whistler. Lindsay Vonn is coming into the Olympics on a roll, winning six consecutive women’s downhill ski races.
Unfortunately, Vonn hurt her shin last week during training. Lindsay Vonn is one of the main favorites in both the downhill and super-G. In addition, Vonn is considered a strong threat in the slalom, giant slalom and super combined.
Photo: AP
Shani Davis –
Shani Davis may enter these Winter Games with something to prove. After a successful 2006 Turin Winter Olympic Games, he became a target of fellow American teammate Chad Hedrick. The controversy involved a decision by Shani Davis to not participate in the team pursuit, but rather focus solely on the individual events.
Davis, 27 years old, did win a gold medal in the 1,000 race, as well as a silver medal in the 1,500. His rival Chad Hedrick won three medals in Turin. Shani Davis come to Vancouver as a strong contender, scheduled to race in four different events, including the 500, 1,000, 1,500 and 5,000 meters. Shani Davis is favored to win gold in both the 1,000 and 1,500 races.
Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images North America
Shaun White –
Shaun White is the king of snowboarding. White won the U.S. Mens’ Snowboarding championship last month’s in Utah, and is a strong favorite to take home an Olympic gold. In Utah, Shaun White attempted and landed the first ever competition Double McTwist 1260. Many experts feel White’s new double McTwist 1260 is the hardest halfpipe snowboarding trick ever performed.
Shaun White known around the world as “The Flying Tomato” for his long, flowing red hair. Shaun won the half-pipe gold medal at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics, and most feel he’s clearly the leader to defend that title in Vancouver. White comes to Vancouver on a hot streak by winning four of five Grand Prix snowboarding qualifying events.
