This past month, the 2010 Winter Olympics were held in Vancouver, British Columbia. While the games started with the tragic death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, they contained many stories of triumph. United States athletes had many firsts in different sports and many inspired performances.People could call Apolo Anton Ohno the Michael Phelps of the Winter Olympics. After winning silver in the 1500 meters, bronze in the 1000 meters, and bronze in the 5000 meter relay in his sport of short track, he surpassed Bonnie Blair with eight medals to become the most decorated Winter Olympian in United States history.
Chad Hedrick, a United States speed skater, took home bronze in the 1000 meter and silver in the team pursuit, and in the process, tied Eric Heiden with five medals for the most speed skating medals in U.S. history.
Lindsay Vonn, a medal favorite for multiple alpine skiing events, had a badly bruised shin at the start of the games, but overcame it to become the first American woman to win a gold medal in downhill skiing. She also won bronze in super-G.
The alpine skier Bode Miller came to Vancouver for redemption, and while finding it, became the most decorated U.S. alpine skier. After missing out on any medals in five events at Torino, he won bronze in the downhill, then silver in the super-G, and finally after three Olympics, got his gold medal in the super-combined.
Shaun White returned in 2010 to defend his gold medal from 2006, and did just that. He absolutely demolished the other competitors and threw down the brand new trick that he invented, the Double McTwist 1260, on his last run to win his second straight gold in the half pipe event.
The U.S. four man bobsled team, led by driver Steven Holcomb, put up four solid run times to win the gold medal for the first time in 62 years.
The U.S. had never won a Nordic Combined medal in 86 years. Three men aimed to change that at these games. Johnny Spillane won the first ever U.S. medal with silver in the individual normal hill event. Todd Lodwick led the U.S. team to silver in the team event, winning his first medal in five Olympics.
Then in the individual large hill event, Billy Demong and Johnny Spillane went gold and silver, respectively, to cap off a performance that saw the U.S. do what no other country has done before, win a medal in all four events.
The Olympics was capped off with one of the most exciting hockey games ever, as Canada edged the United States for the gold medal, 3-2 in sudden death overtime.
The United States set a record for the most ever Winter Olympic medals with 37 total: 9 gold, 15 silver, and 13 bronze. It was also the first time in 78 years that the U.S. has topped the medal standings in the Winter Olympics.
These Olympics started with tragedy and ended with the triumph of Canada winning hockey gold on their home ice. And so, the 2010 Vancouver Olympics concluded with touching scenes, inspiring stories, and triumphant moments.