There are many highlights to be expected from this year’s events, beginning with a must-watch fight on the rink. Figure skating fans will be anticipating defending champion Yuzuru Hanyu’s promise of the first clean quadruple axel to be landed in competition. He said on the Japan Skating Federation’s social media, “For that, I know I'll definitely need everyone's power, so please cheer me on." With no bigger stage to do it on than the Olympics, a successful quad axel will put him well above the competition. His closest rivals will be countryman Shoma Uno, who claimed silver one step down the podium of the 2018 Olympics, and three-time world champion Nathan Chen.
For that, I know I'll definitely need everyone's power, so please cheer me on.
Yuzuru Hanyu
The ladies singles are no less thrilling, with the Russian trio Kamila Valieva, Alexandra Trusova and Anna Shcherbakova aiming to sweep the podium. Russia has long dominated the skating world, but a special part of this generation’s bid for success is the quad jumps in their programmes. Until “quad queen” Trusova landed a quad salchow as a junior in 2018, they were largely thought to be men’s only skills. This female quad revolution ensures that the new generation is essentially untouchable, and new skaters will have to follow in their shoes for a chance at a medal. For context, a quad lutz jump has a base score of 11.50, while a triple is only worth 5.90, so if Trusova lands the five planned jumps in her Cruella routine, she will certainly be earning a shiny gold.
On the slopes, we have the snowboard halfpipe discipline. American Shaun White made headlines by winning three gold medals previously, but this will be his last Olympics, citing there is “still a life to be had within the sport outside of competition". He faces tough rivals like Scotty James, who made his Olympic debut at 15 in 2010, finished third in 2018 and is now fresh off a win at the Aspen X Games.
Still a life to be had within the sport outside of competition
Shaun white
For the women’s side, Chloe Kim is seeking a repeat gold for the USA after her sensational win last time in Pyeongchang. Touted “greatest women’s snowboarder of all time, by far” by former bronze medalist Arielle Gold and the only snowboarder with titles in each of the 4 major competitions (Olympics, World Championships, X Games, and Youth Olympics), Kim is certainly the frontrunner to most people. After a break from the sport to attend Princeton University, she is back with a six-contest winning streak three new tricks in her arsenal and all eyes will be on the halfpipe.
Then going down another route - quite literally - is Jamaica’s bobsleigh team. There is no mentioning them without bringing up Cool Runnings, but this new four-man team will be looking to make their own mark on the track. The crew are aiming to set Jamaica’s best result in an Olympics ever, with their personal record being 14th in the 1994 Lillehammer Games. The event will take place on the 19th of February, and in an interview by the BBC, team member Ashley Watson cites that he is “very excited to race” and this will “[inspire] the next generation of Jamaican bobsleigh athletes".
Lastly, team GB is back to compete for curling gold. It will be two decades past their last title in Salt Lake City when Rhona Howie (now Martin) made the winning shot in 2002. Current curling star and 2022 skipper Eve Muirhead will be hungry for a better medal than bronze, her best result in Sochi, and Beijing will be her fourth Olympics in a row with the team. As for the mixed duos, Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds have swept their way into the semi-finals, and if they win one more match they will be guaranteed a medal to take home. Only eight years of age in 2002, Dodds mentioned, “seeing what Rhona’s achievements did for curling, I just really hope that it can get other kids into curling.”
