XXIV OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES TAHOE ATHLETES EYE GOLD C O M P I L E D BY P R I YA H UT N E R | P H OTO S C O U R T E SY T E A M U SA
The Winter Games Opening Ceremony is set for Feb. 4, and the Tahoe-Reno region is sending local athletes in pursuit of Gold to Beijing, China, for the XXIV Winter Olympic Games. For details on the Olympics and the athletes, visit olympic.org or teamusa.org. The Winter Games will be aired on NBC, with coverage also available on the Olympic Channel at olympicchannel.com.
EVENT KEY
US Alpine Ski Team spring training at Mammoth Mountain
Alpine Skiing Alpine skiing (sometimes referred to as downhill skiing) is one of the signature competitions at the Winter Olympics. Competitors regularly reach speeds of up to 152 km/h (95 mph), all while navigating a winding course full of sharp turns and soaring jumps. There are 11 events in the Alpine competition at the Games, with 33 medals up for grabs.
Cross-country skiing Cross-country skiing is one of the original Winter Olympic sports, having been first contested at the inaugural Winter Games in 1924. The only cross-country events held at those Games in Chamonix were the men’s 50km and 18km competitions, but there will be 12 events in the competition in Beijing, with 36 medals to be won.
Freestyle After first featuring as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Calgary Games, Freestyle Skiing was introduced to the Winter Olympic in 1992, with ski cross, halfpipe and slope-style added to the competition format over the years. There are 13 events in freestyle skiing at Beijing 2022, including two new events: men’s and women’s freestyle skiing Big Air and mixed team freestyle skiing aerials.
Snowboarding Snowboarding is one of the newer events at the Winter Olympics, having been first included at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. There are 11 events in the snowboard competition at Beijing 2022, including mixed team snowboard cross, which will be making its Winter Olympic debut after featuring at the Winter Youth Olympic Games. Courtesy International Olympic Committee, olympics.com
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US Snowboard Team member, Jamie Anderson, training at Sass Fee, Switzerland | Mike Dawsy
