The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China began on Feb. 4 and will go until Feb. 20, 2022. Currently, Norway leads all countries with 26 total medals and 12 gold. Germany ranks second in gold medals with nine, and the United States ranks third with 17 total medals: seven gold, six silver and four bronze.
The United States ranks No. 2 for all time in the Winter Olympics, with 305 total Winter Olympic medals. Norway entered the 2022 Olympics ranked No. 1 with 368 total Winter Olympic medals.
Shaun White competed in his fifth and final Olympic Games. The 35-year-old snowboarder has won three gold medals in the men’s snowboard half-pipe, and in the 2022 competition he placed fourth.
“I’m proud of this life I have led, and what I have done in this sport,” White said. Erin Jackson became the first Black woman to medal in speed skating at the Olympics. The Florida native was a roller derby champion until 2016 when she picked up ice skating. Six years later, she won gold in the 500 meter speed skating event with a time of 37.04 seconds and is now considered the world’s No. 1 speed skater. Jackson’s gold medal is the United States’s first in the event since 1994.
“I wish I could describe how I feel; it’s amazing,” Jackson said. “This medal means so much. It has been a rough couple of years and a tough beginning for this year. For it to come around like this, I’m so happy.”
Chloe Kim, 21, won her second straight gold medal in the women’s snowboard half-pipe. Kim became the first woman in history to win two gold medals in the event. After claiming a score of 94 in her first of three runs in the finals, Kim fell to her knees in emotion knowing the opening run set the tone for her to win the gold.
“I just was overflowing with emotion when I was able to land it on the first go,” Kim said. “It’s such an honor to be part of this sport and help progress women’s half-pipe snowboarding.”
Nathan Chen won gold for the United States in the men’s singles free skate. Chen was the favorite in the 2018 Winter Olympics, but he fell short of a medal. The three-time world champion has now won his first Olympic gold medal.
Lindsey Jacobellis became the oldest Olympic snowboarding gold medalist in history at 36 years old. Jesse Diggins became the first American to win multiple medals in cross-country skiing after taking the bronze, and she is the first American woman to win a medal for an individual cross-country skiing event. The monobob debuted as an event at the 2022 Winter Olympics, and the United States women took gold.
Other United States gold medalists include: Nick Baumgartner with gold in mixed snowboard cross; Kaillie Humphries with gold in women’s bobsled and monobob; Ashley Caldwell, Chris Lillis and Justin Schofield with gold in the team aerial freestyle skiing.
Oklahoman Mariah Bell will compete in figure skating. Bell is the oldest in the competition at 25, and it is her first Olympics.
Both men’s and women’s curling and hockey teams are among favorites to take home gold in their respective events.
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