U.S. to bring record 230 athletes
U.S. to bring record 230 athletes
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The United States will bring 230 athletes to the Sochi Olympics, the largest delegation ever for any country at the Winter Games.
Todd Lodwick in Nordic combined will become the first American to compete in six Winter Olympics. Lodwick’s teammate, Billy Demong, and skier Bode Miller are headed to their fifth; only three U.S. Winter Olympians other than Lodwick had previously accomplished that feat.
Of the 106 returning Olympians, 49 have won medals — 13 of them gold.
Miller has won five medals and needs three more to tie short track speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno as the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian.
The U.S. Olympic Committee said Monday that the oldest member of the team is 46-year-old curler Ann Swishelm, while the youngest is 15-year-old freestyle skier Maggie Voisin.
NHL won’t commit beyond Sochi
The NHL has not decided whether to let its players participate in the Olympics beyond the Sochi Games, making it possible they will not be on the ice in South Korea in 2018.
Sweden’s Daniel Alfredsson has competed in each of the last four Olympics with players from the league. He is looking forward to doing it for a fifth and probably final time next month.
The 41-year-old forward said it would be “bad” for the NHL to take the unique experience away from its players.
League officials, though, are not sure freezing their league for two-plus weeks in the middle of the season is good for business, especially when the Olympics are not in North America.
NBC signs Vonn for ‘Today’ role
NEW YORK — Injured ski champion Lindsey Vonn will be working for NBC during the Winter Olympics, although she won’t be traveling to Sochi.
The network said Monday the gold medalist will report for the “Today” show and some NBC Sports broadcasts.
By wire sources