The 2014 Olympics in Sochi are finally here and Canadians definitely have reason to be excited. The medal predictions are even higher than they were before Vancouver, when our team took home a record 14 gold and 26 total medals. And so far, the eye-test this time around is proving pretty positive for our athletes. The Associated Press has predicted 31 medals for Canada in Sochi, including 13 gold, while the Canadian Press went with 30 total medals. It can’t be easy for athletes coming off a home Olympic Games to do as well at the next Olympics (they miss us too much) but we have hope that they’ll do even better. We obviously couldn’t choose them all, but here are a few Notable medal contenders to pay attention to over the next two weeks:
Hockey:
Do you remember where you were when Sid the Kid scored the Golden Goal – cause we sure do. And we’re pretty confident captain Crosby will be able to lead Canada right back to the finals this year. As this will be the second Olympics for most of the core team, there’s no reason not to believe in our boys. The Canadian Women will have to deal with their archrival, the U.S., in group play but we also expect to see them skate their way into the gold medal match.
Men’s First Game: Feb. 13 vs. Norway
Women’s First Game: Feb. 8 vs. Switzerland
Curling:
There’s no other way to put it. Canada has simply dominated curling at the Olympics since its introduction in 1998. The men have won gold at the last two while the women’s team earned silver in Vancouver. Jennifer Jones, the 39-year-old veteran and one of the world’s most successful curlers, will lead the women’s team while the men will be calling Brad Jacobs skip, or brother, or cousin (Brad has two brothers and two cousins joining him on the 6-man team).
Men’s First Match: Feb. 10 vs. Germany
Women’s First Match: Feb. 10 vs. China
Slopestyle:
Slopestyle will make its Olympic debut in Sochi and two of the sport’s biggest stars, Mark McMorris and Kaya Turski, will take centre stage. Both are top contenders to take home the gold in slopestyle snowboarding. McMorris has been in the news the past couple years for his budding rivalry with veteran American snowboarder Shaun White but since White has decided to pull out of the event, look for fellow Canadian, Max Parrot (who seems to be peaking at just the right time) to step up and possibly snatch the gold.
Qualifying Sessions Have Already Begun.
Bobsled:
Kaillie Humphries, the 28-year-old from Calgary is the reigning Olympic champion in the two-woman bobsled (she currently slides with Heather Moyse as her brakewoman). She’s also won gold at the last two World Championships and is the reigning World Cup champion. So ya, you should probably pay attention to her when she’s on the track.
Feb. 18-19
Figure Skating:
Patrick Chan is the man to watch for gold. Although he’s already placed a somewhat disappointing third in the team figure skating event, the three-time World Champion is pretty much just shrugging it off. And we really hope that works. On the women’s side, our pick is two-time Canadian champion, Kaetlyn Osmond. She’s just 18-years-old but her poise, skill, and million-dollar smile are sure to garner her lots of attention in Sochi – and hopefully a medal too.
Team Competition Has Already Begun.
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
Cover Image: Sochi 2014 Fans Facebook
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