From euphoria to grief, pride to disappointment: Myriad emotions surface on the Olympic stage. Relive the most memorable from the Vancouver Games.
Two weeks ago, as the Olympic world turned its focus toward Vancouver, story lines were set with expectations. Seventeen days later the script was thrown out in favor of the compelling stories of achievement and character.
From downtown Vancouver, which hosted Kim Yu-Na's record-shattering figure skating performance, to Cypress Mountain, that saw Canada's first gold on home soil thanks to mogul skier Alexandre Bilodeau, to Richmond, where Sven Kramer snatched defeat from certain victory with a false turn, to Whistler, that provided the setting of Bode Miller's redemption story, the Vancouver Games left several lasting impressions.
We want to hear what your favorite moment was from these Olympics. In no particular order, these are our top-ten highlights from the Winter Games. Feel free to disagree.
- Canadian Joannie Rochette wins the ladies figure skating bronze medal in the wake of her mother's sudden death just two days before she takes the ice for the short program.
- Apolo Ohno becomes the most decorated American Winter Olympian of all time, with eight total medals, after winning a silver and two bronze at the Pacific Coliseum.
- USA-1, piloted by Steve Holcomb, wins the first American gold in bobsled since 1948. As a bonus, the world is introduced to the "Holcy dance."
- Evan Lysacek skates to a gold medal in men's figure skating, but not without controversy, as Russian Yevgheny Plushenko, the silver medalist, criticizes the decision.
- Korean figure skater Kim Yu-Na skates the performance of a lifetime, as she seemed to only compete against history and the expectations of her country.
- Bode Miller meets the expectations that were set for him four years ago in Torino. The New Hampshire native won three medals, one of each color.
- Lindsey Vonn beats an injured shin and a tough women's Alpine field to win gold in her first race, the downhill. She added a bronze in the super-G.
- Shaun White gets his second consecutive Olympic gold medal, besting the field in just one run. In his victory run, White throws down his newest trick, the Double McTwist 1260.
- The Americans break their 0-for-the-Olympics record in Nordic combined by earning four podiums in three events, highlighted by Johnny Spillane's three silvers and Bill Demong's gold and silver medal performance. Demong was also named the flagbearer for the Closing Ceremony.
- The host nation coveted one medal more than all others, that was in men's hockey. Which Canada won. In overtime. And Sidney Crosby scored the goal. How's that for a story line?
There were memorable moments as well. Julia Mancuso's two surprising silver medals, Bilodeau's gold, Seth Wescott's repeat victory in snowboard cross and Shen and Zhao's gold in pairs figure skating all come to mind.
What will you remember from these Games?
Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
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