Girls across the nation obsessed over Michael Phelps when he performed in the 2008 Olympic Games. Everywhere you looked, Phelps and his Speedo were there too – magazine racks, news stations, Internet sites, and even clothing stores (t-shirts with Michael Phelps’s picture anyone?). Even girls who knew nothing about swimming tuned in to swoon over his hot body, and with the 2010 Winter Games upon us, we’ve found plenty of reason to become not only swim fans, but snow fans as well. These athletes from across the world will have you glued to your TV until March.
Chris Drury, USA Hockey
This 33-year-old from Castle Rock, CO will compete in his third Winter Olympic Games this February. Drury hails from an athletic family (his older brother Ted played hockey for Team USA in the ‘92 and ‘94 Olympic Games), and is multi-talented in the area. As a teen Drury pitched for the 1989 Little League World Series Championship team. Since his little league days he has won a Stanley Cup, an Olympic silver medal, and the nickname of “McDrury,” a playoff of Grey’s Anatomy’s “McDreamy.”
Loui Eriksson, Sweden Hockey
Eriksson, a Sweden native, currently plays for the Dallas Stars. He excelled in the sport of hockey from day one, earning a spot on the U-16 teams when he was just 11 years old. Although the 24-year-old has been playing on the Stars since 2003, he will represent his home country of Sweden while in Vancouver as they fight to defend their gold medal.
Brian Joubert, France Figure Skating
Twenty-five-year-old Brian Joubert is known to be a strong jumper on skates. With prior experience playing hockey at the early age of four, Joubert was practically born on the ice. His competitive nature carried over to his figure skating abilities; he is known to be one of the hardest-working, most diligent athletes in the Games. He is a sight to see on the ice – watch him represent team France as he shows off his unwavering quadruple toe loop.
Ryan Kelsler, USA Hockey
Father of a one-year-old daughter, this family man balances hockey and daddy-daughter time like a champ. You’ll often see him photographed on the ice with wife Andrea and daughter Makayla. Twenty-five year old Kesler will feel right at home in Vancouver, as he is a member of the Vancouver Canucks hockey team and resides there during season.
Jukka Leino, Finland, Alpine Skiing
This 31-year-old Finland native is a talented alpine skier and has a killer smile. In fact, just looking at him makes us smile. Luckily, we’ll have at least four different occasions to watch him do his thing. He will compete in Men’s Super-G, Men’s Downhill, Men’s Giant Slalom, Men’s Slalom- and we can’t wait!
Sami Lepisto, Finland, Ice Hockey
Born in Espoo, Finland this 6’1’’ defenseman currently plays for the Phoenix Coyotes, though he will represent Finland in the games. While we don’t know much about him, we look forward to seeing him compete in his first Olympics. In general, we really just look forward to seeing him.
Henrik Lundqvist, Sweden Hockey
There’s nothing cheesy about this guy. Lundqvist truly cares about opening up to his fans- check out his website: http://henrik-lundqvist.com/. We couldn’t get enough of his adorable accent on his streaming video. And it gets even better, he has an identical twin brother (who also knows how to work the puck!). Henrik already has one gold medal under his belt, from the 2006 Winter Games in Torino, Italy and prides it as his greatest achievement. On his website, he writes that he hates to lose and his favorite smell is that of cigars after a championship win. When he’s not on the ice, Lundqvist works closely with the Garden of Dreams Foundation, granting wishes to sick children. Can you say T-O-T-A-L P-A-C-K-A-G-E?
Teemu Selanne, Finland Hockey
Thirty-nine-year-old Teemu Selanne, the “Finnish Flash”, is no rookie in the game of hockey. Selanne has a had a great run in the NHL, but announced on June, 27th, 2009 that the 2009-2010 season will be his last. He is currently finishing up his impressive career playing for the Anaheim Ducks, with whom he won the Stanley Cup in 2007. This will be Selanne’s second time competing in the Olympic Games on behalf of team Finland.
The 2010 Vancouver Olympic games began on February 12th. Weather you’re a winter sports fan or not, we think after this impressive list of athletes you’re sure to become one. If there’s one thing we learned from our “Olympic Hotties” research, it’s that no matter which countries are competing, we won’t miss a hockey game!
Sources:
http://jukkaleino.vox.com/
http://www.teamusa.org
www.vancouver2010.com
www.mostbeautifulman.com/athletes/BrianJoubert/bio.shtml+brian+joubert+o…
www.henrik-lundqvist.com www.wikepedia.org