Favorite Olympic Athletes 2010 Winter Olympics
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Favorite North American Olympic Athletes
As the 2010 Winter Olympics draw nearer and the coverage of athletes more frequent, many athletes have risen to the top of the pack when it comes to the buzz surrounding favorite competitors. Since the winter games will be held in Vancouver, Canada, North American athletes, whether from Canada or the U.S, have that much more pressure on them to win on what they consider to be their home turf—or, in their case, home ice.
Here’s a look at some of the favorite North American Winter Olympic athletes at this point in the game.
U.S. Skier Lindsey Vonn
If there were ever an athlete who most truly defined the spirit of Olympic athleticism, it would be U.S. skier, Lindsey Vonn. In fact, Vonn won the Olympic Spirit Award for her bravery after a terrible downhill fall in the 2006 Winter Olympics, which caused her to be air-flown and hospitalized overnight. Vonn returned to the games the next day and finished in eighth place. Nabbing her first slalom victory in 1999, she has gone on to dominate the ski scene, becoming the first American woman to win back-to-back World Cup championships (2008 and 2009). With her relentless determination and undeniable skill, Vonn will be a definite front-runner in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.
Canadian Skater Patrick Chan
Also in the figure skating category, another crowd favorite is Canadian skater Patrick Chan, a native of Ottawa. While Chan notes himself that there is stiff competition to win, his fans have high hopes. Should he win, it will be one for the record books. While one Canadian figure skater, Brian Orser, came close to winning Olympic gold in the 1984 and 1988 winter games, no Canadian man has ever taken home a gold medal in the Olympic Games. If Chan does win, he will not only be breaking this record; he will also become an exception to the general rule that most male skaters are at the top of their game in their early 20’s. With all of these considerations, it’s easy to see why Chan has so many fans in his corner.
U.S. Snowboarder Shaun White
U.S. snowboarder Shaun White is endearingly known by fans as “The Flying Tomato,” even appearing on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine in an article entitled “Attack of the Flying Tomato.” White has been known as a legit competitor on the snowboarding scene since the age of 9. More recently, he has demonstrated his ability to cinch a gold medal in the 2010 Winter Olympics by winning the FIS World Cup Men’s half pipe at Vancouver’s Cypress Mountain, earning the day’s best score with his first run of the day. On top of that, White’s Finals run was recognized as the highest score ever earned in the FIS half pipe. Beyond his obvious abilities, fans praise White for his positive attitude, his likeable personality, and the fact that he hasn’t let the fame get to his head.
With the many shining stars the Olympic Games bring to light, these are just a few to watch. But if you’re looking for qualified fan favorites, enthusiasts would advise against taking your eyes off these elite athletes.
For more articles about the 2010 Winter Olympics or for a short list of the hottest female athletes in this years Olympics please visit the Sports section on GKMen.