Olympic Wrap Up

The Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, concluded on February 25. The United States brought home a total of 23 metals, which included nine gold, eight silver, and six bronze The United States won the fourth highest number of metals, according to nbcolympics.com.

Two American athletes who brought home metals have ties to Pittsburgh.

John-Henry Kruger won the silver metal in the men’s speed skating 1,000 meter short track, on February 17. Kruger finished behind gold metal winner Samuel Girard of Canada, after Shaolin Sander of Hungary knocked down South Korean opponents Seo Yira and Lim Hyo-jun during the race, according to the Tribune Review. Kruger was shocked by his metal win and dropped to his hands and knees after the race. According to usatodaysports.com, Kruger’s mother, Hedi Kruger, who was in the audience, yelled and waved a terrible towel after her son crossed the finish line.

Another athlete with ties to Pittsburgh was Amanda Kessel, who is the sister of Pittsburgh Penguins player Phil Kessel. She, along with the rest of the Women’s U.S. Hockey team, won the gold metal after defeating the Canadian team, with a score of 3-2. The Canadian team had won the gold metal consecutively for the past four Olympic Winter games. Kessel scored a goal against Canada during the game, according to usatoday.com.

History was also made for the United States in Cross Country Skiing and Curling.

According to cbssports.com, teammates Kikkan Randall and Jessie Diggins won the United States’ first Gold metal in Cross Country Skiing. They finished ahead of Norway by .19 seconds.

The United States also won its first gold metal in Curling. The U.S. Men’s team beat Sweden with a score of  10-7, after U.S. Team member John Shuster completed the final shot. According to cbssports.com.