Controversial Russian teenager Kamila Valieva takes to the ice in Thursday’s medal-deciding free skate as fierce rivals go head to head in the women’s ice hockey final.
Here’s what you can look forward to today:
Doping controversy overshadows skating: Russian skater Kamila Valieva leads the field in the women’s free skate, preferring to finish first. The 15-year-old was at the center of a doping controversy after she tested positive for a banned substance in December, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport decided Monday to let her continue to compete. The International Olympic Committee says an asterisk will appear next to Valieva’s results as the investigation into her case remains open and there will be no medal ceremony if she makes the podium.
Old rivals face each other on the ice rink: The United States and Canada have been the only two countries on the podium since the introduction of women’s ice hockey at the Olympics in 1998 — and today they resume their rivalry. Canada is aiming to avenge its gold medal loss to the US in Pyeongchang four years ago, ending a run of four consecutive Olympic titles. The Americans have their work cut out for them after surviving a tougher-than-expected test from Finland in the semi-finals.
Another chance at redemption: american skier Mikaela Shiffrin clocked the fastest time in the downhill training session yesterday – something she will try to replicate in the women’s combined alpine final. Shiffrin has recovered from a shaky start to the Games, although the champion has yet to reach the podium. She showed significant progress in speed after finishing 18th in her first-ever Olympic downhill, and said yesterday that she will also compete in Saturday’s mixed team event — becoming only the second woman to race all six alpine ski events at the Winter Olympics.
Difficult to pick a winner in the skating final: The absence of the 2018 Olympic champion leaves the women’s 1,000-meter speed skating competition wide open. Team USA Brittany Bowe wants to become the first American to medal in the event in 20 years. The world record holder faces tough competition from Dutch skaters Jutta Leerdam and Ireen Wustand Japanese Miho Takagi†
Eyes on the three-peat: Double Olympic champion freeski halfpipe David Wise aspires to become the first American athlete to win gold three times in a row in the same event at the Winter Olympics. that of Great Britain Gus Kenworthy – a former silver medalist for Team USA – aims for a rare Olympic feat of winning medals for two countries.