The Biggest Highlights From Week 1 of the Winter Olympics (And What to Look Forward to In Week 2)!

The Winter Olympic events in Beijing have just begun and many pro athletes are making a comeback as well as making history by competing this year. Plenty of athletes are also accomplishing their first wins and debuts in the winter games. Here is how the first week went and what events we can look forwards to in the upcoming days!

1. Shaun White's Final Run 

Shaun White announced his return to the Beijing Olympics will be his 5th and final appearance as one of Team USA’s most well-known snowboarders. Unfortunately, he received 4th place in the Men's Halfpipe final, but he can’t wait to start his new chapter after an amazing run at the Olympics.

2. First Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Gold Medal Wins

The first gold medal handed out at these Games was to Norway's Therese Johaug after her Skiathlon win. Meanwhile, Snowboard Cross athlete Lindsey Jacobellis was the first U.S. athlete to win gold at the Winter Olympics this year. This was her fifth time competing in a Winter Olympic Games, and much-needed validation after her silver medal win at the 2006 Torin Olympic Games. She is known as the most decorated athlete in the boardercross olympics events. Way to go, Lindsey!

3. Denmark’s Debut 

Both Denmark's men's and women’s hockey teams made their Olympic debut and pulled off an impressive upset against the heavily favored Czech Republic. This is a big deal for them as they had not previously qualified for the event in the past, What a victory for sure!

4. Colby Stevenson’s Silver Win

After surviving and recovering from a terrible car accident 6 years ago, American Skier Colby Stevenson won silver at the Men’s Big Air- Freestyle Skiing event, resulting in his first-ever Olympic win. Huge congratulations to Colby!

5. Nathen Chen Redeems Himself

After a very disappointing performance at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, where he finished 5th, U.S. figure skater blew the competition away this year, with a record-breaking score in the Short Program, and a show-stopping Free Skate, earning him his first gold medal! 

6. Chloe Kim Does It Again

The snowboarding queen continued her reign on the halfpipe, defending her 2018 gold medal by easily snatching a second one in Beijing, making her the first-ever athlete with multiple wins in this event. Long live the queen!

7. New Zealand Is On The Board

Not usually known for their Winter Olympics prowess, New Zealand finally achieved their first-ever Winter Olympics gold medal thanks to snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott.

It has definitely been quite an eventful week! Here are a few things to look forward to in Week 2:

Women's Hockey Skates On

With a win over the Czech Republic in the quaterfinals, the U.S. Women's Hockey Team moves on to the semifinals on Monday. The Bronze Medal game is scheduled for the 16th but hopefully we won't see our ladies again until the Gold Medal game on the 17th!

Curling Finals

Everyone's favorite Olympic guilty pleasure will start handing out medals on the 19th, beginning with the Men's Gold Medal Game and the Women's Bronze Medal Game.

More Figure Skating

The women take to the ice for their short and free programs starting Tuesday (2/15), while one of the most anticipated events at the Winter Olympics, Ice Dancing, kicks off today (2/12)!

Will Kamila Skate?

After turning in a stunning opening performance earlier this week and helping the Russian Olympic Committe win gold in the Team Figure Skating event, it was revealed that 15-year-old favorite Kamila Valieva tested positive for a banned substance. Because of this, the medal ceremony (where the U.S. won silver) was canceled, and it is still unclear whether or not Kamila will be allowed to compete in the individual Women's Figure Skating Events next week.

Stay tuned!