Guess what time is it again? The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia start February 7th and with 15 different sports and 89 events, it’s hard to keep track of everything that’s going on. That’s why Her Campus American has you covered on the athletes you won’t want to miss during the Olympic Games. They all hail from across the United States and will compete in all sports winter related.
1. Gracie Gold
Figure Skating
Recently Gold won the 2014 U.S. Figure Skating World Championship and qualified for a place on the United States 2014 Winter Olympics figure skating team. She has a great chance of bring home the gold (pun completely intended) for Team USA.
2. J.R. Celski
Short-track Speed Skating
Although he suffered a horrible crash in 2010 causing 6 inches of his own skate to go into his thigh, Celski made an incredible comeback only six months later in Vancouver helping Team USA win bronze in the 5000 meter relay. For Sochi, he’s back and better than ever qualifying for the 500, 1000 and 1,500 meter speed skating events.
3. Kelly Clark
Snowboarding
Competing in her fourth Winter Olympics, don’t underestimate the 30-year-old winner of two medals. In December, she won the Wold Cup Event at Copper Mountain, Colorado. Look for her to lead Team USA to victory.
4. Taylor Gold
Snowboarding
Yes, another person with the last name Gold. Like his younger sister Arielle (who also clenched a spot in the 2014 games), Gold focuses solely on the halfpipe. He placed first at the 2013 U.S. Grand Prix in Copper Mountain, Colorado, and is ready to take on the Olympics.
5. Lolo Jones
Bobsled
Yes, this is the same Lolo Jones who competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics for track. Although she finished just short of medaling in 100 meter hurdles, Jones is determined to medal this time around.
6. Tim Burke
Biathlon
Time Burke is probably Team USA’s best bet for winning it’s first medal in biathlon, the only sport at the Winter Games that has never had an American medalist. He won a silver medal at the 2013 World Championships making him the first U.S. athlete to medal at worlds since 1987.
7. Jessica Jerome
Ski Jumping
This being the first year women will compete in Ski Jumping, Jerome was the first U.S. women to ever qualify for the Winter Olympics. Keep an eye out for Jerome to put women’s ski jumping on the map.
Photo Credits:
http://www.biography.com/imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/G/Gracie-Gold-21349247-1-402.jpg
http://seattletimes.com/ABPub/2010/01/30/2010939399.jpg
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/0228/espnw_g_kelly-clark_mb_576.jpg
http://www.dewtour.com/sites/default/files/images/athlete/taylor-gold_0.jpg
http://abcnews.go.com/images/Health/GTY_lolo_jones_jef_131001.jpg
http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Tim-Burke.2.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Jessica_JEROME_90.JPG
http://cdn3.coresites.mpora.com/skiunion/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/wint…