The U.S. Olympic team made history by winning its 11th gold medal at the Milano Cortina Winter Games. Kaila Kuhn, Connor Curran, and Chris Lillis claimed victory in the mixed team aerials. This win not only breaks the previous record set in Salt Lake City in 2002 but also symbolizes a major transformation in the U.S. Winter sports scene.
Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, emphasized a broad strategy for success. “We want to win in everything,” she said, highlighting the commitment to improving all winter sports, not just focusing on a few areas.
With this latest win, the U.S. has secured 30 medals in total, placing second overall, just behind Norway, which recently won its 17th gold medal—a new Winter Games record. The American team excelled particularly in freeskiing and speedskating, with Jordan Stolz leading the way by winning gold in both categories.
Fin Kirwan, the chief of Olympic sport for the USOPC, noted, “We set a goal to be a podium nation.” He explained that achieving around 30 medals was a strategic target, and the athletes delivered on their potential.
Here’s a quick look at some of the standout gold medalists:
- Alex Ferreira: He finally snagged his first gold after earning silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022.
- Breezy Johnson: After overcoming a knee injury, she triumphed on the same mountain where she had faced setbacks.
- Elizabeth Lemley: Known as “Lizard,” she is now part of a legacy of great U.S. mogul skiers.
- Alysa Liu: After taking a break from skating, she returned to win the first gold for U.S. women since 2002.
- Elana Meyers Taylor: At 41, she became the oldest woman to win gold at the Winter Olympics.
- Mikaela Shiffrin: The renowned skier secured gold in slalom after a tough outing four years ago.
- Jordan Stolz: He made history by becoming only the second man to win both the 500m and 1,000m in speedskating, following in legendary Eric Heiden’s footsteps.
The U.S. also celebrated success in team sports, with the figure skating team and women’s hockey team both taking home gold medals. The figure skating team’s success came in the wake of previous doping controversies that had overshadowed the sport.
As the competition continues, Team USA has the chance to add even more medals, with excitement building for the upcoming events, including the U.S. men’s hockey team’s match against Canada.
Overall, the achievements of the U.S. Olympic team reflect not just athletic prowess, but also a strategic commitment to excellence across all winter sports. For more information on the Milano Winter Olympics, check trusted sources like NPR for updates and insights.
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