This is courtesy of the United States Olympic Committee, and while it doesn’t relate to aquatic sports, we thought you might like to see the Winter Olympic Fun Facts and the US Winter Olympic Roster.
The United States Olympic Committee today announced the 2014 U.S. Olympic Team that will compete at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. The 230-member team is comprised of 105 women and 125 men – the largest athlete delegation for any nation in the history of the Olympic Winter Games. The United States will be represented in all 15 disciplines across seven sports, and up to 94 of the 98 medal events that will be contested in Sochi.
2013 Golden Goggles: Chuck Wielgus Executive Director of USA Swimming, Missy Franklin, Scott Blackmun (USOC CEO)
(courtesy of Melissa Lundie, melissalundie.com)
“We are thrilled to announce the 230 athletes who will represent Team USA in Sochi,” said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. “This is the largest team we have ever sent to an Olympic Winter Games, and I’d like to commend all of those who helped support our athletes in the pursuit of their Olympic dreams. Most of all, this is a time to celebrate our athletes, who have made countless sacrifices and dedicated themselves to being their best, both on and off the ice and snow. I am very excited to watch them compete as they represent our nation with excellence and distinction on the world stage.”
The 2014 U.S. Olympic Team features 106 returning Olympians – including one five-time Olympian, two four-time Olympians, 10 three-time Olympians and 23 two-time Olympians. Returning from the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, where the U.S. finished first in the overall medal count with 37 medals, are 99 U.S. Olympians. Overall, among the veterans are 49 Olympic medalists, 13 of whom are Olympic champions.
Nordic combined skier Todd Lodwick becomes the first American to compete at six Olympic Winter Games. The two U.S. Olympians headed to their fifth Olympic Games are Billy Demong (Nordic combined) and Bode Miller (alpine skiing). Only four other athletes in U.S. Olympic history have competed in five or more Olympic Winter Games (including Lodwick).
Additionally, women’s bobsled push athletes Lolo Jones -– a two-time Olympic hurdler – and Lauryn Williams – a three-time Olympic sprinter – become the ninth and 10th Americans to compete at both the winter and summer editions of the Olympic Games.
Highlighting this list of accomplished U.S. men’s athletes are Miller and long track speedskater Shani Davis. A five-time Olympic medalist, Miller needs three medals to match U.S. short track speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno as the most decorated U.S. Olympian in history on the winter side. Davis is making his fourth Olympic appearance after winning consecutive Olympic gold and silver medals in the 1,000- and 1,500-meter events in 2006 and 2010. Both Davis and snowboarder Shaun White will have the opportunity to become the first American man to win three gold medals in the same event at consecutive Olympic Winter Games.
Headlining the list of U.S. women’s athletes are three-time Olympic medalists Julie Chu (ice hockey) and Julia Mancuso (alpine skiing). Mancuso is already the most decorated U.S. Olympic female alpine skier with a gold and two silver medals, while Chu is looking to help Team USA reclaim the top podium spot for the first time since women’s ice hockey debuted at the 1998 Olympic Winter Games.
“This distinguished group of athletes represents the largest delegation in the history of the Olympic Winter Games, which is a true testament to the growing number of winter sport opportunities across the United States,” said Alan Ashley, U.S. chef de mission and USOC chief of sport performance. “With 106 returning Olympians, this year’s team is an exceptional blend of youth and experience, and represents the finest our nation has to offer. During the Games, we will continue to support our athletes, coaches and National Governing Bodies in every way possible to succeed.”
2014 U.S. Olympic Team Fun Facts:
- Thirty-eight states are represented, including 20 athletes hailing from California, 19 from both Colorado and Minnesota, and 18 from New York.
- The oldest and youngest Olympians on the 2014 U.S. Olympic Team – women’s curler Ann Swishelm, 46, and freestyle skier Maggie Voisin, 15 – are separated by 31 years, while the average age is 26.
- Men’s ice hockey forward Blake Wheeler is the tallest member of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Team at 6 feet, 5 inches, and standing 5 feet tall, figure skater Marissa Castelli and short track speedskater Jessica Smith are the shortest members of Team USA.
- Team USA features one set of twins in women’s ice hockey players Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux. Other team siblings include cross-country skiers Sadie and Erik Bjornsen, curlers Erika and Craig Brown, Nordic combined athletes Bryan and Taylor Fletcher, snowboarders Arielle and Taylor Gold, ice hockey players Amanda and Phil Kessel, and figure skaters Maia and Alex Shibutani.
- Twenty-two members of Team USA have children; there are 19 fathers and three mothers.
- Seven athletes serve in the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program – including men’s bobsled athletes Nick Cunningham, Chris Fogt, Steven Holcomb, Justin Olsen and Dallas Robinson; and luge athletes Preston Griffall and Matt Mortensen.
The 2014 U.S. Olympic Team roster may still be adjusted due to injury, illness or exceptional circumstances up to the technical meetings for each sport.
Click here for a Sochi 2014 U.S. Olympic Team fact sheet and to view the 2014 U.S. Olympic Team roster by sport and state (athletes’ recognized hometowns).