On Friday, February 9, the 2018 Winter Olympics began. Normally, the USA dominates the competition. When looking at medal counts throughout the years, the US has more than double the total amount of medals than any other country. However, so far in 2018, American athletes are not placing as well as they have in the past, making this year one of the worst Winter Olympics ever for America. With only three days left in the competitions, USA has currently pulled in eight gold medals, seven silver medals and six bronze medals. That may seem like a lot to some people, but compared to the 46 gold medals that Team USA attained in the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, it is clear that they are having a bad year.

With that being said, the athletes who have won medals for the USA have done so in spectacular fashion. On the women’s side of things, Mikaela Shiffrin took first place in the women’s giant slalom, Chloe Kim won the women’s snowboard halfpipe, Jamie Anderson won a gold medal in women’s snowboard slopestyle as well as a silver medal in the women’s snowboarding big air, Jessica Diggins and Kikkan Randall won the women’s cross country skiing and finally, USA won women’s hockey. The women’s hockey team managing to pull off an upset against Team Canada is a highlight for the US this year.

The men, on the other hand, have not been doing too well. Only three American men have won gold medals. 17 year old Red Gerard won a gold in the men’s snowboard slopestyle, David Wise won the men’s freestyle snowboarding halfpipe and Shaun White won the men’s snowboarding halfpipe.

USA still has a chance to win other events such as figure skating, speed skating and men’s curling as the Olympics end on Sunday, February 25.

Gallery • 10 Photos

Morry Gash

Mikaela Shiffrin celebrating her gold medal win in women's giant slalom.