The 2018 Winter Olympics are here. With the opening ceremony just around the corner, the U.S. team is gearing up for the competition with some fierce competitors, old and new to the Olympic games. Here are a few athletes to watch throughout the competition.
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Shaun White: This will be snowboarder Shaun White’s fourth time competing in the Winter Olympics. After a snowboarding accident last October leaving White with a bruised lung and needing 62 stitches, it was uncertain if he would be able to compete in the upcoming games. White posted on his Instagram about the accident, saying he will be back and better than ever. Keeping his word, White qualified for this year’s games with a perfect score at the U.S. Grand Prix.
Maame Biney: This will be Maame Biney’s first time competing in the Winter Olympics. The 17-year-old speedskater recently had her time in the spotlight when a video of her 500m race at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials went viral. It was that very race that secured her spot on this year’s team. Biney will go down in history as the first African American woman to make the U.S. Olympic Speed Skating Team.
Elana Meyers Taylor: Elana Meyers Taylor is a third time Olympian competing on the U.S. Women’s Bobsled team. Meyers Taylor has a bronze and silver Olympic Medal under her belt and hopes to bring home a gold as she pilots this year’s team.
Chloe Kim: At only 17 years old, Chloe Kim is a force to be reckoned with. NBC Olympics reported that Kim has shown Olympic Team potential since she was 13 years old, but due to age limitations, was not allowed to participate. Kim is expected to be among the gold-medalists this year, which will make her the youngest American to win an Olympic medal in snowboarding.
Nathan Chen:When he was 10 years old in an interview with Andrea Joyce, Nathan Chen predicted we would be seeing him in the 2018 Winter Olympics, Los Angeles Times reported. Chen’s confidence and hard work paid off; he will be competing in his first Winter Olympics this year. It is predicted that Chen will be a strong contender for a gold medal in his first appearance at the Winter Olympics.
Tucker West: This year marks Tucker West’s second time at the Winter Olympics. The 22-year-old luger qualified for this year’s Olympics with his outstanding performance at the Lake Placid Luge World Cup in December. Although West does not have any Olympic medals yet, he has proven to be a strong contender for an award this year.
Tune in to NBC on Feb. 9 to see these promising competitors in action.
What to expect at the 2018 Winter Olympics
