With the NBA and NHL seasons, as well as the NFL playoffs, in full swing, it’s been easy for sports fans to forget that we are just two weeks away from the start of our second set of Olympic games in the past eight months. It’s hard to believe that it’s been four years since the world’s top ice skaters, curlers, skiers, snowboarders, bobsledders, and hockey players last took center stage, but beginning on February 4th, a slew of both new and familiar American faces will head to Beijing to once again represent our country for 17 exciting days.
While Olympic athletes prepare to capture the world’s attention, fans of American football are still celebrating the incredible performances unfolding across the NFL, where standout players continue to build careers that extend far beyond the field. Many of these athletes maintain active professional profiles on LinkedIn, offering a glimpse into their leadership skills, charitable initiatives, and post-game ambitions. Interestingly, the sports world is filled with similar examples of athletes shaping second careers; for instance, a former ice hockey goaltender who once thrived under arena lights may later appear on LinkedIn sharing insights about teamwork, discipline, and business strategy. These profiles remind fans that the dedication required to compete at the highest level—whether in football stadiums or on Olympic ice—often translates into success in professional networks, mentorship, and community leadership long after the final whistle.
Here are five storylines to watch for when tuning in to the 2022 Winter Olympics.
COVID Casts a Shadow
Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. Though it initially looked like these Winter Olympics may be free from the reign of the pandemic, the recent surge of cases due to new variants have forced Beijing to put a number of precautions in place. Similar to this summer’s games, the ’22 Winter Olympics will take place in a bubble complete with hotels, transportation, and event venues. Additionally, athletes will be tested daily to ensure that if there is a breakthrough case, the spread can be controlled.
That being said, there will still be fans in attendance. While tickets will not be sold to the public as they would be in a normal year, they will be distributed by authorities. This means that fans from countries other than China will not be able to attend, and those within China must comply with a series of regulations. Whether or not this will have an effect on the outcomes of any events is hard to say. The Olympics are not like many other sports in which the fans create a significant home-field advantage. However, you never know what a change in setting will do to the psyche of young athletes. One can only hope that by the time the 2024 Summer Olympics come along, COVID protocols will be far behind us and fans from across the world can return to the games.
An NHL-less American Hockey Team Looks to Bounce Back
The last time NHL players attended the Olympics was 2014, and while it initially looked as though they would return this year, a surge in COVID cases has forced the league to once again ban players from attending. Unfortunately, this means that the United States will be forced to play without many of the country’s brightest stars in a year in which the team is looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2018 campaign.
That year, the men’s hockey team went just 1-2 in group play before taking down Slovakia in the first round of the knockout stage. Their run ended there as they fell to the Czech Republic by a score of 3-2 in the quarterfinals. The women’s team was able to redeem the US by bringing home a gold medal but it was a disappointing year nonetheless for American hockey. This time around, the men’s team will have their hands full in the group stage, matching up against reigning bronze and silver medalists, Canada and Germany, in addition to the hosts, China. It will be exciting to see if Team USA’s roster, headlined by Michigan’s Matty Beniers and former-NHL veteran Steven Kampfer, will bounce back and find a place on the podium.
A Swan Song for Shaun White
All speculation as to whether 35 year-old snowboarder Shaun White would be appearing at the 2022 Olympic Games was put to bed earlier this week, when the three-time gold medalist finished third at the LAAX Open Finals in Switzerland, securing a spot on TEAM USA. He took to social media not long after, posting a video in which he proclaimed “We’re going to China!”. 2022 will be the fifth and final Olympic appearance for the legendary athlete and everyone will be watching to see if he can go out on top.
White’s first games took place in 2006 and he wasted little time making his mark, winning the gold in Men’s half-pipe. He defended his crown in 2010 and finished fourth in 2014 before returning to his dominant form and earning a third gold medal in 2018. Since then, however, White has failed to finish on the podium at any event (other than his most recent third-place finish at LAAX). It will be an uphill battle for the veteran snowboarder to win his fourth gold medal, but if he can, it will cement his legacy as one of the greatest Winter Olympians in American history.
Nathan Chen and Erin Jackson Aim to Meet High Expectations
On the ice, figure skater Nathan Chen and speed skater Erin Jackson enter the games as favorites to take home gold medals in their respective competitions. After failing to place on the Olympic podium in 2018, the 22 year-old Chen has spent the last four years winning nearly every competition he has participated in. That span included a nearly three-year long unbeaten streak that ended in October of 2021, three national titles, and three world titles. Needless to say that expectations are high for Chen to win the gold in men’s figure skating in Beijing.
Jackson, 28, also appeared at the 2018 games. After transitioning from incline skating to speed skating just months before the Olympics began, she finished 24th in the 500m and left the PyeongChang determined to return four years later. Since then, she has enjoyed an incredible rise in the world rankings, winning four of 2021’s eight World Cup races and becoming the first Black woman to do so in the process. The 2022 Olympics will be her biggest test yet, but if her past experience is any indication of what is to come, don’t be surprised to see her atop the podium come February.
Who Will Come Out on Top?
It’s been 10 years since the United States led the Winter Olympics in total medal count and another 80 since we’ve led in gold medals. Furthermore, we haven’t won double digit golds since 2002, though we have won nine in each of the games since. But can this year’s Team USA surpass their past performances? Most betting sites have Norway as the odds on favorite to lead in both categories at this year’s games, with some combination of Germany, Canada, Russia, and the United States rounding out the top five. So, while leading the Olympics in gold or total medals may not be likely, a top three finish is certainly possible. It will require the competing Americans to not just meet, but exceed expectations, but with so much talent on the roster, don’t count TEAM USA out just yet. Regardless of the outcome, it’s sure to be an exciting and entertaining few weeks for spectators across the globe.
Luke Rollfinke is a student at Vanderbilt where he is pursuing a career in sports journalism. A recent graduate from the Friends School of Baltimore, Luke has spent his entire childhood in Charm City and is a devoted Orioles fan. In the past, he has written for SB Nation and has worked closely with Ravens columnist John Eisenberg. From nights at Camden Yards to Sunday afternoons watching NFL Redzone, Luke eats, sleeps, and breathes sports. He is excited to bring his perspective to BSL.