There is probably no discipline in Sochi that was more disappointing for the US. Zero medals. Zero. And this all in an event where the US is winning events and competing regularly at the top on the World Cup circuit right now. What happened? Who knows… We do know that the women have been further away from competing in the past than the men but both genders weren’t close in Sochi with the best individual finishes being 7th place!
Men’s 500m
Shani Davis, Tucker Fredricks, and Mitchell Whitmore all finished in the same range, 24th, 26th, and 27th. Never ever ever before had the top man for the US been lower than 12th.
Women’s 500m
The women’s 500m went better with Heather Richardson eighth. Yet Richardson is second in the World Cup standings…. eighth was not great. It is the second best finish though for the US since 1994.
Men’s 1000m
Shani Davis and Brian Hansen were more competitive in the men’s 1000m finishing eighth and ninth. Still the US had someone in the top seven every year since 1992 and had medaled in three straight Olympics. No third straight gold for Davis and no medal at all was disappointing.
Women’s 1000m
Heather Richardson and Brittany Bowe went 7th-8th for the US which was not a horrible result lately for the US. The Americans haven’t medaled since 2002 and seventh is tied for the best finish since then.
Men’s 1500m
Brian Hansen finished seventh in the men’s 1500m make this the worst Olympics since 1994 for the US in the event. Shani Davis has won silver in the last two Olympics making it three straight with medals in the event but finished just 11th this year.
Women’s 1500m
In the women’s 1500m Heather Richardson could only reach seventh for the US and was well off the pace. The women have had some rough years lately so this was the best finish since 2002.
Men’s 5000m
The US wasn’t remotely competitive in the men’s 5000m with Emery Lehman finishing 16th the top American. It was the first time since 1994 that the US failed to place a skater in the top 14.
Women’s 3000m
The women’s 3000m featured Jilleanne Rookard who placed 10th. Rookard’s 10th made it three straight Olympics now where the top American has been between ninth and 11th. The US hasn’t medaled in the event since 1980.
Men’s 10000m
In the men’s 10000m Emery Lehman and Patrick Meek went 10th-11th for the US about 44 seconds behind the winner. It was the first time since 2002 that the US didn’t have anyone in the top eight.
Women’s 5000m
Only Maria Lamb competed for the US in the women’s 5000m. Lamb’s 16th place finish was the first time since 1992 that the US didn’t have anyone in the top nine.
Men’s Team Pursuit
In the men’s team pursuit the US lost in the first round by quite a bit but did manage to win the D Final and finish seventh. It was the worst finish in the three Olympics it has been contested.
Women’s Team Pursuit
The US women had a bit of a bad break as they drew the Netherlands in the first round and no one else was even close to them. The US lost the C Final though to place 6th, their worst finish in the three Olympics featuring the event.
Previous Olympic Recaps
Snowboarding
Biathlon
Alpine Skiing
Short Track Speed Skating
Freestyle Skiing
Curling
Nordic Combined
Figure Skating
Ski Jumping
Skeleton
Luge
