Chasing Gold: Team USA tries to bounce back from medal shutout on Day 1 of Beijing Olympics – USA TODAY
The United States has a goose egg on the board after the first full day of competition at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, with 13 different countries taking home medals going into Sunday’s slate.
Team USA was disqualified for a blocking penalty in the semifinals of short track speedskating’s mixed relay. They were also shut out in the women’s ski jumping and 3,000 meters in long track speedskating.
Gold medals will be handed out in women’s snowboard slopestyle Saturday night in the U.S., where three Americans — Hailey Langland, Jamie Anderson and Julia Marino — all have a chance to make the podium. Anderson is the two-time reigning Olympic gold medalist in the event.
In figure skating, the team event continues with the women’s short program and men’s free skate. Karen Chen will be first on the ice for the U.S., which has a surprising lead after the first three events (men’s short program, rhythm ice dance and pairs short program).
FIGURE SKATING: Meet Team USA’s competitors in these amazing images
The U.S. mixed doubles curling team continues round robin play when they take on the Czech Republic, and alpine skiing see its first action as the men take to the slopes for a downhill training run.
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TV SCHEDULE: What and how to watch Saturday night and Sunday morning events
Something is missing: Looking around the Beijing Olympics, there is an obvious lack of diversity. While more minorities are playing and trying to make a mark in winter sports, there still is no concrete reasons why, explains USA TODAY Sports’ Chris Bumbaca.
Routs a plenty: The U.S. women’s hockey team took care of business with a 5-0 pasting of Russia, which featured some unfortunate scuffles. Forward Brianna Decker posted an update on her recovery after being injured in the opening victory against Finland.
PHOTOS: Incredible images from the 2022 Beijing Olympics
The Canadian women also had no trouble with Finland in their Group A hockey match, winning 11-1. Switzerland was most impressive in their mixed doubles curling round robin match with a 11-3 win over the Czech Republic.
Good news on COVID front: Elana Meyers Taylor, a three-time Olympic medalist in bobsled, told USA TODAY Sports that she was being released from isolation after returning consecutive negative COVID tests in a 24-hour span. She still has to test daily and take a PCR test six hours before being allowed to complete.
WINTER OLYMPICS 2022: Why Beijing? Who will be the stars? 10 questions you want answers to.
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