Monday 3 February 2014

5 British Medal Hopes For The Winter Olympics 2014

Winter sports may not be our thing, and we may have only won one medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, but this year, we have more reason than ever before to be optimistic. Our target is 3-7 medals, which may seem a tad unrealistic to some, but with the athletes we have competing for us, it is not impossible!

Listed below are 5 of our best chances of a medals this year’s games and the times you catch them on the TV.

John Jackson – Bobsleigh

John Jackson
Major Achievements: 1 Gold and 2 Bronze medals in the Europa Cup. British Champion in 2008.
When to catch him: Sunday 23rd of February on BBC2 from 13:30.




David Murdoch – Curling

David Murdoch
Major Achievements: Gold in the European Curling Championships in both 2007 and 2008.
When to catch him: BBC2 on Friday the 21st of February.




Shelley Rudman – Skeleton

Shelley Rudman
Major Achievements: Silver medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Won the 2008-2009 Skeleton World Cup. Ranked No.1 in the world in 2011-2012.
When to catch her: Friday 14th February on BBC2 at 17:10



Billy Morgan – Snowboarding

Billy Morgan
Major Achievements: Finished last year in second place in the slopestyle world rankings.
When to catch him: The slopestyle world final will be held on Saturday 8th February on BBC2 from 08:45








Elise Christie – Short Track Speed Skating

Major Achievements: Silver medal in the 1500m and the 3000m at the 2010 European Short Track Speed Racing Championships in Dresden. 1000m champion for the 2012-13 World Cup season.
When to catch her: Friday 21st February on BBC2 from 18:00.








Some interesting facts about the Winter Olympics:

  • Norway has won the most medals (303)
  • The first Winter Olympic Games were held in Chamonix, France in 1924
  • 4 athletes have died taking part in the Winter Olympics – all in practice
  • In 1988, Britain’s ‘Eddie The Eagle’ was dubbed ‘the world’s worst ski jumper’ after finishing last in every event
  • Also in 1988, the Jamaican bobsleigh team were hailed as heroes for reaching the final, and subsequently inspired the hit Disney movie Cool Runnings
  • Walt Disney was in charge of both the opening and closing ceremonies in 1960
  • Ironically, there was too much snow at the 1998 games in Nagano, and consequently proceedings were disrupted
  • Sochi, this year’s host city, is the warmest city to ever host the games
  • Brazil, Thailand and Kenya are the 3 most unlikely nations to be competing at this year’s games

Want to go to the Olympics, but are finding that Sochi is a little bit to far? Why not join Mario and Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Olympics….?

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