Following the Olympics!

So this week has been quite a busy week - the Sochi Olympics began a week ago, but I haven't been able to write about it because I've been busy xD

So, after watching the Olympics every day at the dinner table, I've got to say, that its pretty exciting.

So let's look at the current medal count shall we?

                

The United States is currently tied with Russia for medal count, but since Russia has more silver than the US they are placed ahead of us. 

Figure Skating:

First of all, I would like to congratulate Polina Edmunds on making the American Olympics Figure Skating Team! As she left for Sochi, her high school gave her quite the sendoff along with three weeks of homework. Isn't that fun? She chose not to attend the opening ceremony in Sochi and instead to stay in Austria to practice for her upcoming events. We all wish her luck on a quest for a medal! Her event, I believe will occur this Wednesday. 

Her teammates covered her for the team event with Ashley Wagner and Gracie Gold winning a bronze medal. Gracie Gold's final performance was flawless, securing the medal for Team USA. 

Gracie Gold at her final performance for the team event

Plushenko, Russia's male figure skater had an outstanding performance winning a gold in one events, but was unfortunately injured in another of his events. The crowd stood shocked as he  later announced that this would be his final Olympics. Farewell Plushenko...

Skeleton:

So what the heck is this you ask? Well, its simply when a person lies on a board and slides across an ice course. Keep in mind that I simplified the description greatly, the sport is actually quite complex.

Skeleton

Noelle Pikus Pace after winning silver medal

The gold was won by Britain's Lizzy Yarnold, who finished the event in record time, her slide flawless. 

With a win and a loss for women's skeleton I now take you to the American contender Noelle Pikus-Pace. It was the final olympics for this optimistic woman and she ended winning a silver medal in the event. The scene was quite emotional as she rushed up to her family in the crowd and shook with  happiness. She was the most bubbly person I have ever seen and all that positive energy led her right to a medal! 

Now for the other American skeleton contender Katie Uhlaender it was a sad day as she lost the bronze medal by 0.04 seconds. In an interview with NBC, she was fighting to control her tears, and said that she would return for the next Olympics despite this tearful loss. 

So these are the two events I will cover for now, more updates later~