Category Archives: Olympics

COVID, postponed games, Omicron, Olympics, variants, positive tests, rapid tests, social distancing, masking.

Life really does have a 2020 feel to it these days.

It felt like we all emerged from a deep hole at some point in 2021. It was a different point for all of us. But fans at games did it for me. Travelling, a bit too, though with an N95 mask on airplanes. Dinners out, though with my double-vaxxed QR code at hand.

So, no, not normal. But closer to it than we were.

Now if feels like were moving backward, through no fault of our own. This is how pandemics play out, they tell us. They come in waves, each different from the last.

Heres hoping this is the version of the virus that is less deadly. And heres hoping the next variant, then, is even less deadlier. And so on and so on.

To the mailbag, where we deal with COVID, postponed games, the Olympics, but start off with Jason Spezza and Nick Ritchie.

As always, if you have a question, email me at askkevinmcgran@gmail.com and Ill answer it in the next mailbag.

Hi Kevin. Would you like to comment more on the Jason Spezza suspension and appeal? In your 13 Musings this week, you indicated that his appeal was set for that day but I havent been able to find any ruling tweeted out by the NHL department of player safety. Everyone is talking about the fact that Spezzas six-game suspension will likely be over by the time an appeal is finally held. Shouldnt this be completely unacceptable to the commissioner, the NHLPA and hockey fans everywhere? Thank you and take care. Janis J-W

The appeal was heard Tuesday, as scheduled. The commissioner hasnt ruled as of Thursday night. Its not ideal to take this long. Saturdays game in Vancouver should have been the sixth and final game of the suspension but, with Thursdays game in Calgary postponed, Sundays game in Seattle is the end. Unless Gary Bettman rules in Spezzas favour between the time I write these words and you read them, I doubt he will. Spezza has the right to take it to an independent arbitrator after Bettmans decision. Normally Id be piling on the commissioner, but he has far bigger fish to fry at the moment with COVID clusters throughout the league. Still, thats unfair to Spezza. Maybe thats reason enough for the commissioner not to have this particular arbitration power. Lets get it to the independent arbitrator sooner.

Hey Kevin. Like Mitch Marner, I think Nick Ritchie is getting way too much criticism for his lack of goal scoring. Hes on a pace for three goals this season. I dont have a problem with that. He was brought here primarily for his physicality. Auston Matthews, Marner, John Tavares and others need a player like Ritchie to protect them and give them the space they need to generate offence. But its here that I have an issue with Ritchie. He hasnt been that guy. We were all hoping that he would be the reincarnation of Dave Semenko. When Matthews was rag-dolled by Pierre-Luc Dubois, where was Ritchie? I dont care if last nights goal is his one and only this season. His defence is OK and he will get the puck and generate assists. I want to see his him stand up for his teammates or treat other teams superstars the way they treat ours. Bob T

Im not sure Ritchie is the guy you want him to be. His game is physical. Hell get into it, but hes not an enforcer. Like you, I think hes taken far too much criticism. He has been doing all sorts of good things in front of the net to create space, create chaos and create scoring chances. His checks are pretty heavy. Hes an imposing body.

Hi Kevin. For a thousand good reasons, I hope the NHLPA pulls the plug on the Beijing Olympics. If they do, will the NHL schedule be updated so that there is not a three-week gap in play? Andrea, Mississauga

I believe the schedule will remain the schedule whether NHLers go to the Olympics or not. The only thing is the break could be the cushion the league needs to reschedule games postponed due to COVID. That, of course, depends on arena availabilities but I gather that would be the plan.

Hi Kevin. If you were a player, would you play in the Olympics? I cant see the potential of losing money being a factor if a player has to stay behind and quarantine. While still a substantial amount of money lost, its not really going to affect the lives of these players considering how much they make. But the thought of a player (or a few players on the same team) missing an extra couple of weeks could potentially derail a potential Stanley Cup contender. To me, that seems to be a bigger thing to consider. What if The Star said, Hey, Kevin, want to cover the Olympic hockey games? Would you go? Todd C

I would go. No questions asked. Im all about experiencing the experiences life has to offer.

Hi Kevin. We all know that the NHL owners arent big on competing in the Olympics, at least when they take place in a Far East time zone. And if I was a player, I wouldnt be too eager to go some place where a failed COVID test could have me spending a few weeks cut off from the world in the Two Michaels wing of the Olympic Village. Time for the NHL and NHLPA to take a stand by standing down on Beijing. Im all for the rest of our athletes going, as long as its accompanied by a diplomatic boycott. Cross-country skiers and speedskaters shouldnt have to bear the brunt of a boycott, but Im hoping highly paid pros would be happy to say Hell no, I wont go. Now if only Coca-Cola and various sponsors would do the right thing. We can always dream, right? Allan H

I think some of the players are less eager all the time. But Ill be honest, I dont understand any talk of any boycott. I mean, why should athletes pay the price? If were serious about making some kind of stand because we find Chinese politics unpalatable, then why not cut off trade? Boycotts at Olympics hurt only the athletes and dont contribute at all to political change in the host country. Theyre just political showmanship. If youre really upset about Chinese policies, dont buy anything made in China.

So the GM, a lover of small, quick, tricky players, has seen the light (somewhat) and added some toughness to an otherwise smallish but skilled group. Good to see. If the coach can light a fire under Nick Ritchies rear and Kyle Clifford can pound his opponents head rather than the helmet, perhaps we can anticipate a better playoff result. The underweight but game Wayne Simmonds cant fight everyones battles. They need another tough defenceman and/or forward, but Kyle Dubass epiphany may augur well for the future. Its taken long enough for him to realize that his vision of small and quick wont work. Hs departure would be fine with me! Carlos H

The source of your optimism is very interesting. But the Leafs are a tougher team than theyre given credit for.

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Leafs mailbag: We talk Omicron, Olympics and that outstanding appeal - Toronto Star

The rise in COVID-19 cases is becoming an increasing concern throughout the NHL.

In just over 36 hours (from early Monday to Tuesday evening), nearly 30 players and staff members were added to the league's COVID-19 protocols. Tuesday's game between the Minnesota Wild and Carolina Hurricanes was postponed because of COVID-19, one day after the Calgary Flames' season was put on pause amid an organizational outbreak.

The situation is subject to change at any time. Here, Emily Kaplan, Kristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski, answer some of the questions about where the NHL is at, what might be in store for the season and how COVID-19 worries could impact the NHL's Olympics participation.

ESPN staff: On Wednesday, the government of Ontario decreed that any venue with a capacity over 1,000 must limit its capacity to 50%, which impacts the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators, as well as the NBA's Toronto Raptors.

That was followed up on Thursday by the Montreal Canadiens announcing that their game that night against the Philadelphia Flyers would be played with no spectators in the Bell Centre.

"We have accepted this request in order to help ensure the safety and security of our fans and fellow citizens throughout our community," the Canadiens said in a statement. "We have obtained assurances that beginning with our games in January, we will return to a partial capacity scenario and be able to host fans once more."

Greg Wyshynski: As of Friday, the NHL has postponed 11 games this season because of "mini-clusters" of outbreaks on five specific teams. The Ottawa Senators had three games postponed (at New Jersey, at home against the Nashville Predators and New York Rangers) from Nov. 16-20. The New York Islanders had two road games scratched on Nov. 28 (Rangers) and 30 (Philadelphia Flyers). The league also announced that the Canadiens-Bruins game scheduled for Saturday had been postponed.

The NHL paused the Calgary Flames' season before the team was about to embark on a U.S. road trip, postponing games in Chicago on Monday and Nashville on Tuesday as well as home games against Toronto on Thursday and Columbus on Saturday. Finally, the Carolina Hurricanes' game at the Minnesota Wild was postponed Tuesday.

Emily Kaplan: The NHL is implementing enhanced protocols through at least Jan. 7, sources told ESPN Wednesday afternoon.

The decision came after the NHL, NHLPA and their doctors held conference calls on Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon, following a rash of COVID cases across the league.

Under the enhanced protocols -- which NHL players experienced for all of last season -- players will be tested daily instead of every third day, according to sources. All team personnel will be required to wear face masks at facilities, meetings will be held virtually, and everyone will be asked to limit all social interactions outside of the hotel, rink or home. The NHL currently only has one player who is not vaccinated, Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi.

The NHL has recommended the booster shot, and many players have already received it. However the league does not intend to mandate a booster shot at this time, sources tell ESPN.

Emily Kaplan: As of now, the NHL is not considering a pause. The league views that as a last resort. Especially since most players who are testing positive have mild to no symptoms, the league is figuring out a way to play through the rash of cases.

ESPN staff: Edmonton Oilers coach Dave Tippett was placed in protocol after the team's loss Tuesday night. A number of Carolina Hurricanes players, including Sebastian Aho, are currently in protocol and the team's game Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild was postponed. The Boston Bruins added three more players to the protocol list Thursday, bringing their number to six, including forwards Brad Marchand, Craig Smith and Patrice Bergeron.

The Calgary Flames have had a number of players in the protocol and have had four games postponed. They added 17 total team members to the league's protocols on Wednesday, including head coach Darryl Sutter (seven players, three coaches and seven support staff members).

Kristen Shilton: The situation this season is quite different from last season's.

2 Related

First of all, the entire NHL is vaccinated, save for Detroit Red Wings forward Tyler Bertuzzi, who has refused to receive the vaccine. So while players and staff members have tested positive, the symptoms being reported by individuals have widely been either very mild or nonexistent.

By comparison, when COVID-19 ripped through 25 members of the Vancouver Canucks' organization last spring, several players and coach Travis Green were felled by debilitating symptoms.

Some players, like Milan Lucic, have also received their booster shots already (although Lucic still tested positive this week). More players may follow suit and receive their third doses sooner rather than later.

To that end, fully vaccinated players and employees haven't been subject to the same rigorous protocols as they were before. Last season, dressing rooms were more spaced out, players were expected to be masked at all times and to practice physical distancing. Now, fully vaccinated players are not beholden to those same parameters, which doesn't help at times like these, when the virus is suddenly spreading rapidly.

Then, of course, there's more travel for every NHL team this season. That results in more interactions with other people, more potential spread and more difficulties with containment.

And as one player noted Tuesday night, many guys have partners and children in contact with more people than they were last year. Schools have been back in session across the board and some offices have reopened. Those interactions create more potential exposures for players that weren't there before, when virtual learning and work from home was prominent.

Basically, there's no single culprit in this. But it may benefit the NHL to ramp up protocols again until the spread of the coronavirus settles down.

Kristen Shilton: There are different provisions in Canada vs. the U.S. if a player/staff member tests positive.

The NHL's COVID-19 protocol dictates that wherever a person is when they test positive is where that person must quarantine at the designated local hotel. However, the Canadian government requires a 14-day quarantine for any positive test. For example, Carolina Hurricanes forwards Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis plus a team staffer were forced to remain in Vancouver (and potentially stay there for two weeks) after testing positive during the Hurricanes' stop against the Canucks.

By comparison, when Hurricanes teammates Jordan Staal, Andrei Svechnikov, Ian Cole and Steven Lorentz subsequently tested positive in Minnesota, they were sent to isolate in a hotel only "for the time being," according to the team.

As of Wednesday morning, the Hurricanes were developing a plan that could potentially involve using emergency medical transport to return the trio in Vancouver to Raleigh. The hope would be to settle on a way forward in the next day or so, but it remains a tricky situation to manage.

Hurricanes' GM Don Waddell told The Athletic on Tuesday that as far as getting everyone back home, "Those are details we're working on right now, because now we've got three guys there and four guys in Minnesota. Maybe we can bring them all home together."

Greg Wyshynski: From the NHL's perspective, the players' participation in the Beijing Olympics was collectively bargained last year, and they're sticking to that commitment -- provided there isn't a "material disruption" for the 2021-22 regular season because of COVID-19. Bettman said the league would pull the chute on their participation "if it became clear that we couldn't reschedule without doing something else, including [using] some portion of the break." The NHL isn't saying what its threshold is for a "material disruption" of the season, except that we're not there yet.

Cast your vote to determine the captain for each division's team for the 2022 NHL All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. Fans can submit up to 10 ballots per day at NHL.com and via the NHL app.

From the players' perspective, the concern is about getting COVID-19 while participating in the Olympics. According to the current "playbook" given to athletes by the Beijing Organizing Committee, a symptomatic player would be taken to a hospital there, while an asymptomatic player would go to an isolation center.

Asymptomatic athletes will be discharged after two consecutive negative COVID-19 test results at least 24 hours apart if they continue to exhibit no symptoms, although they'll face increased COVID-19 protocols. But it's the athletes who exhibit symptoms who could be in for a rather lengthy stay in China.

Athletes can be discharged from the hospital when their body temperature returns to normal for three consecutive days; their respiratory symptoms improve significantly, including documented improvement through lung imaging; they have two consecutive negative COVID-19 tests within 24 hours of each other; and they exhibit no other COVID-19 symptoms. After that, they'll still need a Chinese medical expert panel's approval to be discharged.

While it's not spelled out in the playbook, the NHLPA has communicated to players that the quarantine time for a symptomatic player in a hospital could be between three weeks and five weeks. Granted, recovery time could be faster, but this is the realistic range the players are hearing from the union -- especially since any discharge from quarantine requires the medical panel's approval.

That could mean over a month and a half away from loved ones in a quarantine facility in China, but it could also have a significant financial impact. Per the NHL and NHLPA agreement, players who contract COVID-19 while in Beijing will not be paid for any missed practices or games after the NHL Olympic break. There's an International Ice Hockey Federation fund, reportedly worth $5 million, to cover that lost salary. But once that's gone, players wouldn't be compensated for lost time.

The NHLPA is still waiting to hear from the Beijing organizers on a few matters, like the location of these quarantine facilities. But it's also waiting to get clarity on whether an infected athlete -- or an injured one -- can leave China to rehab back in North America.

Greg Wyshynski: It was believed that Jan. 10, 2022, was going to be a critical date on NHL participation, as any pullout following that day would mean financial penalties for the league. But deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Jan. 10 "has to do with financial responsibility for costs at that given point and time," and that a decision can be made beyond that date.

NHLPA executive director Don Fehr hopes for clarity by Jan. 10. "I would like to be able to say by that date. But even if it's yes, it's contingent on nothing changing [after that]," he said. "The plan is now that we go, unless something happens which causes us to reassess."

Of course, the longer this uncertainty goes, the more participating nations in the Beijing men's hockey tournament need to formulate a Plan B. Team USA GM Bill Guerin and his team are keeping an eye on AHL and NCAA players and those who play in international leagues for a hastily constructed alternate team -- although they obviously hope the NHL players are the ones making the trip. For Canada, look no further than the upcoming Channel One Cup for a glimpse at what their Plan B roster could look like: former NHLers like Ryan Spooner, Eric Fehr and Jason Demers, led by former Canadiens coach Claude Julien and Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton.

Greg Wyshynski: Some will be made up in the course of the season. Of the nine games postponed as of Tuesday night, two had been rescheduled. Unfortunately, the Olympic break provides the most room to wiggle. The NHL decided not to pad the end of its season with time to make up postponed games, as it did in the 2021 season. The last day of the regular season is April 29. The Stanley Cup playoffs begin on May 2. That date could be fluid, but in the first year of a new television deal with two U.S. networks, it's probably not ideal to push the postseason any further into the summer. Currently, June 30 is the date for a potential Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Final.

How much could the league cram into the Olympic break? There is a "shadow schedule" created by the NHL that includes a one-week break -- gotta allow those non-Olympic, non-All-Star players their planned trips to Maui with the fam -- and some games move up from later in the season. But building availability is a problem. The NHL encouraged its arenas not to book events during the Olympic break, on the off chance the players don't go to Beijing. But arenas have been taking massive financial hits during the pandemic, too, and used that time to reschedule tours and book other acts.

Madison Square Garden, for example, has 11 concerts from artists ranging from Billie Eilish to Elton John, plus three Knicks games during the NHL break. Staples Center has 16 events, including Lakers and Clippers games and three days of concerts held in conjunction with the Super Bowl.

Kristen Shilton: At this point, only goalie Robin Lehner -- a lock for Team Sweden -- has publicly stated he would decline an invitation to participate in the Olympics.

But other stars around the league have begun commenting on some of the uncertainty and the possibility of a lengthy quarantine in China amid rising COVID-19 cases.

Hosts Linda Cohn and Emily Kaplan bring their hockey expertise and passion for the sport, discussing the latest news around the league as well as interviewing the biggest names both on and off the ice. Listen here

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, one of three players already named to Team Canada, told reporters on Tuesday that when it comes to the Olympics, "It's obviously going to be a very fluid situation. There hasn't been a ton of information [coming] out, and then there's that three- to five-week [quarantine] thing. It's kind of been floating around. Obviously, it's unsettling if that were to be the case when you go over there."

Still, the desire to represent his country remained strong for McDavid.

"I'm still a guy that's wanting to go play in the Olympics," he said. "But we also want to make sure it's safe for everybody. For all the athletes, not just for hockey players."

Alex Pietrangelo, who was also named to Team Canada, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Monday his concerns are mounting.

"I've got four kids that are under the age of three and a half," he said. "For me to be potentially locked up there for five weeks plus the Olympics, that's a long time being away from my family. I'm not going to make a decision until we get all the answers, because those are kind of hard to come by right now. So, we're all kind of sitting and waiting."

Also on Monday, Maple Leafs captain John Tavares, who was selected to Team Canada for the 2014 Games in Sochi, shared his own hesitation about going to Beijing.

"I think we all hope to go, but clearly I think things are a little bit more uneasy than they were," he told reporters. "There are definitely some questions that we want to look into and have answered. Obviously there's going to be some hurdles and some challenges with where things stand. I'm probably a little more uneasy than I was a number of weeks ago, or a few months ago."

Meanwhile, Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson, likely in the mix for Sweden, told reporters Wednesday that if things remain the same as far as a quarantine in China for those who test positive, he "likely won't be going" to the Olympics.

It seems likely more players will continue chiming in after the recent wave of positive cases throughout the NHL.

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Latest updates on the NHL and COVID-19: Postponements, protocols, the Olympics and more - ESPN

What does a typical training day look like?7:10 a.m. Wake up8 a.m. Get to rink9-11 a.m. On-ice training11-1 p.m. Some sort of lifting/dryland training3-6 p.m. Ice/dryland/weights

Whats a surprising part of your training routine?Using the sauna for post recovery.

What do you love most about your sport?Wanted to travel the world and experience different cultures was one of the main reasons why I wanted to keep skating.

Who is your Olympic role model?Serena Williams and Simone Biles

What Summer Olympic events would you like to try?Gymnastics, track, rock climbing

What would you be if you werent an athlete?Probably a regular college student trying to figure out life.

Do you have any pet peeves?When people drive under the speed limit or if theyre in the fast lane driving slow!

Whats on your bucket list?Skydiving and learning how to swim.

What is your personal motto?Be good to your future self!

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Meet the Athletes: Maame Biney - NBC Olympics

A new claymation promotional video for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics has been unveiled by CCTV, Chinas state-owned broadcaster.The two-minute-thirty-second clip was posted to Weibo, a microblogging site, on December 16. It features a dozen clay figurines partaking in various winter sports.

Each of the adorable characters can be seen in the intro with the tools of their respective sports: a hockey stick, skis, a snowboard, a luge, and figure skates, among other winter sports equipment.

Furthermore, each represents one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac. And the symbolism doesnt stop there: The color red features prominently in the video, and many of the figures are dressed in traditional Chinese clothing.

This is brilliant it shows Chinese culture to the rest of the world, commented one Weibo user under the promotional video.

Another netizen summed up our thoughts about the video perfectly, writing, This is adorable! Good luck to those who are competing.

While stop-motion videos using clay are not unique to China, this particular style appears to draw inspiration from traditional Chinese clay molding that dates back to the Song Dynasty.

Specifically, the figures resemble Chinese tea pets (chachong), which are served on a tray alongside tea. With each serving, drinkers pour tea over the little figurines, causing a gradual color change over time.

Its a beautifully made video, and a lot of work went into the production. At the end of the clip, you can see the labor-intensive behind-the-scenes process as it unfolds.

The final 40 seconds show a fast-forwarded version of the same shots, with the in-between actions included a bunch of busy hands and hardware assisting with the motion of each frame.

With just over six weeks until the opening ceremony for the Beijing Winter Olympics, the animation is a welcome reminder of the revelry that lies just over the horizon.

All images via Weibo

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Impressive Claymation Video Unveiled for Beijing Winter Olympics - RADII

SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP The Lakeside junior varsity basketball team, in conjunction with Special Olympics of Northeast Ohio, recently hosted a basketball event which brought athletes and the community together.

The emphasis was not as much on winning, but rather a focus on having fun and building athleticism in a supportive environment, said Felix Cancel, a Lakeside junior varsity basketballplayer.

It was a special experience; Im glad we were able to have the chance to play, he said. We would be happy to do it again.

Varsity Coach Matt Newsome also was pleased with the experience.

This was a great opportunity for our junior varsity and freshman basketball teams to play the Special Olympics Lakers basketball team, he said. Our junior varsity coach, Jeff Kohli, arranged the scrimmage.

Newsome said the scrimmage was a great idea.

To allow the teams to play each other was a valuable and fun learning experience, he said.

Kohli said he feltthe event went really well.

It was a good experience for the team, he said. It was good for them to experience something like this. Its more important than basketball, being a part of something like this builds character.

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.

Originally posted here:

Lakeside brings basketball and community together with Special Olympics game - The Star Beacon

Team Shuster will be back in action this weekend in Eveleth for the Curl Mesabi Classic, featuring some of the top men's and women's teams from across the country.

EVELETH, Minn. This week, Curl Mesabi in Eveleth is the place to be to see the most famous curlers in the entire country. That would be Duluths own Team Shuster.

Last month at the U.S. Olympic Trails, they defeated another Northland squad in Team Dropkin, captained by Duluth native Korey Dropkin. The teams faced off in a thrilling three-game series that saw Chisholm native John Shuster power his team to win the final two games, capturing his fifth straight U.S. Olympic Team Trials title.

Being able to be positive, especially after taking an 0-1 start to a best-of-three, that kind of mentality is going to absolutely roll into anything we do in the Olympics and knowing that we can be resilient, said Matt Hamilton.

Really for us, that just showed us that everything that weve done has paid off and really prepared us for that moment. And hopefully that moment now will prepare us for the next moment ahead of us which will hopefully come in Beijing, Shuster said.

The newcomer on the team is Duluth native Chris Plys, who takes the spot of Ty George, who retired after the 2018 Winter Olympics.

I had a bit of history with John and Matt and Tyler. But I still wasnt sure. I figured there was a couple other guys that might of been on their list. Me and Matt had talked a lot about wanting to play with each other again as our careers moved on. Getting that opportunity to go back and have a chance to compete for something that we had talked about for a long time was pretty special, said Plys.

Team Shuster will be back in action this weekend in Eveleth for the Curl Mesabi Classic, featuring some of the top mens and womens teams from across the country.

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Team Shuster Talks Journey Back to Winter Olympics - FOX 21 Online

Tell us about your family.My parents are from South Korea. My dad came to the US when he was young and my mom came when she was a teenager. I have an older brother that is two years older than me and also used to skate. My dad owns an auto collision center which is one of two shops in Philadelphia. My grandfather owned the other one but it is now owned by my dad's brother, my uncle. It is a family-owned business. My mom stays at home and takes care of my family.

Do you have any pets?Snoopy and Toby. They are both Malteses. Snoopy pretty much grew up with me and so I have a special connection with him. He's the "perfect dog" to me. Toby is actually Snoopy's son and he's a "momma's boy.

What does a typical training day look like?I usually wake up at 7:10 a.m., get ready, and eat breakfast. I leave the house at around 8:10 and get to the rink by 8:20. Ice is at 9:15 most days so I warm up until then. Morning ice ends at 11:00 and we usually have off-ice training. By the time we finish everything, it's around noon. After morning training, I either pick up lunch on the way home or if my mom is home, she cooks for me. Some days, I have afternoon practice so If I take an hour nap and go back by about 2:30 p.m. Afternoon practice ends at about 5 p.m.

Anything out of the ordinary about your training?I developed a habit of not warming up a lot before practice but ever since I've been on the national team, I had to change that.

Have you ever had a significant injury?My most serious injury was when I cut my left forearm in the summer of 2019. At that point, it was my first year being officially on the national team and it was after I came back from visiting family in Pennsylvania. It was my second day back and we were doing speed (training). I was trying new blades and I hit a block and went into the pads in a bad way. I ended up cutting my left forearm and had to get 24 stitches.

It was really hard for me because I was just starting to improve and I was really looking forward to that season. It was mentally hard on me and I thought the season was over for me. Fortunately for me though, I had a lot of help from the staff on the national team and I was able to recover fast. I had to do a lot of training on my own which was a struggle. Although I thought the season was over for me, I actually came back stronger than I thought. That season was the best season I ever had. I skated the best I've ever skated that season. It took a lot of commitment and discipline to come back from the injury but thinking about it now, I think it was good for me because it helped me grow not just as a skater, but as a person.

Describe your diet/nutrition plan.I'm not much of a breakfast person but this season, I had to force myself to start eating breakfast because I knew that it would benefit me. I've been eating either eggs with toast or cereal. For lunch and dinner, I usually eat my mom's homemade cooking whenever she is in Utah. If not, I pick something up on the way home from training.

What was your breakthrough moment in your sport?2019 World Cup 3 in Nagoya, Japan. I made my first A final at a World Cup. This was a "breakthrough" moment/competition for me because it finally showed me that I belong up there with the best skaters in the world.

Did anyone every tell you that you wouldnt succeed?Yes, many times. During a very long slump that I had, I was so used to losing and never winning. Looking back, a lot of people made me feel as if I wasn't good enough and never will be. Honestly, I never really overcame that feeling until I came to Salt Lake City. Once I started to improve and get better, I started to realize that it was my turn to start winning and doing well. But once I started skating well, I got the same feeling as I got before. It felt as if they were trying to mentally kill me by making me feel like I wasn't good enough or deserving of my success. I was able to overcome that with the help of my coach and not letting it really get to my head as much this time. I was able to realize that it didn't matter what they thought of me. All that mattered was the facts, and the facts were that I proved myself enough already and I didn't need to prove myself to anyone else.

Do you have a hobby outside of your sport?Growing up, I played a lot of instruments. I mainly played violin. I also learned how to play the piano and a little bit of saxophone. As I got older, I taught myself guitar and drums.

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Meet the Athletes: Andrew Heo - NBC Olympics

Winter Olympics 2022 guide with Beijing dates, fun facts and more originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Its hard to believe we are just 100 days out from yet another Olympic Games.

Just about six months after the Tokyo Olympics concluded, the winter edition of the Games will begin in Beijing. After hosting the 2008 Olympics, Beijing is set to become the first city to ever host both the summer and winter editions of the Games.

Team USA will once again head to eastern Asia to compete in the Olympics, this time trading in surfboards for snowboards, sneakers for ice skates, and skateboards for skis.

Here is all you need to know about when the 2022 Beijing Olympics will start, the events that athletes will compete in, the COVID-19 protocols at the Games, the overlap of Super Bowl Sunday, and more:

The 2022 Olympics are located in Beijing, China. The competition will be split into three zones: central Beijing, Yanqing and Zhangjiakou.

Opening and closing ceremonies, along with four snow events (mens and womens snowboard big air and freestyle skiing big air) and all the ice events (curling, ice hockey and skating), will take place in central Beijing.

Yanqing, a suburban district of Beijing, will host all Alpine skiing and sliding (bobsleigh, skeleton and luge) events. Finally, the Chongli district in Zhangjiakou a popular skiing destination will host the rest of the snow events (snowboard, freestyle skiing, cross country skiing, ski jumping, Nordic combined and biathlon).

The 2022 Beijing Olympics begin on Feb. 4 and will run through Feb. 20. The Games will coincide with the host countrys most important holiday, the Chinese New Year, which begins on Feb. 1, 2022.

The Paralympic Winter Games will run from March 4 to March 13, 2022.

The Opening Ceremony at the Beijing Games will take place on Feb. 4, 2022. The event will be held at the Beijing National Stadium (commonly referred as the Birds Nest).

The Beijing Olympics will feature 109 events across 15 disciplines in seven winter sports. Here is a breakdown of the sports featured in the 2022 Olympics:

The Beijing Games will feature seven new winter Olympic events. The newly-added events include the womens monobob, freestyle skiing big air (mens and womens), and mixed team events in short track speed skating team relay, ski jumping, freestyle skiing aerials and snowboard cross.

The United States will send almost 80 athletes to compete in Beijing, including some familiar faces.

Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin will look to add to her medal haul at her third Olympics. Shiffrin won gold in Sochi, and added two more medals in PyeongChang.

Veteran curler John Shuster has represented Team USA at every Winter Games dating back to 2006, and will look for his second Olympic gold in Beijing.

Snowboarding star Chloe Kim will compete in her second Olympics after making history at the 2018 PyeongChang Games as the youngest competitor to win gold on halfpipe. In addition to her Olympic gold, Kim is also a six-time X Games gold medalist.

Check out other Team USA athletes you should know ahead of the Beijing Games here.

Olympic athletes, team staff and journalists that will attend the Beijing Olympics are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or be subject to a 21-day quarantine, according to the International Olympic Committee.

Exceptions to the vaccination rule will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, based on medical reasons.

Team USA wont have to worry, though, after the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced it would require all athletes, coaches and staff to be vaccinated before Beijing.

In addition to the vaccine mandate, daily coronavirus PCR tests will also be required.

The 2022 Super Bowl will occur during the upcoming Winter Olympics. Super Bowl LVI will be played in Los Angeles on Feb. 13, 2022, right in the middle of the Beijing Games.

For the first time in the history of the league, the NFLs season was extended to 18 weeks, thus pushing the big game back. NBC, which televises both the big game and the Olympics, commented on the overlap and how it will affect coverage of both events.

We have been in constant communication with our partners about this change, and were excited for the unprecedented opportunity of presenting the American audience with the two biggest events in media simultaneously, NBC said.

We will promote the Super Bowl during the first week of the Winter Olympics, and well promote the second week of the Winter Olympics during the Super Bowl. Its a win for us, our partners, advertisers, and certainly viewers.

For the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games, the NHL will make its return to Olympic competition in Beijing. The league, the NHL Players Association, and the International Ice Hockey Federation agreed to allow a break in the 2021-22 regular season to allow the participation of NHL athletes in the Beijing Games.

The NHL seasons break will run from Feb. 3 to 22, starting with the 2022 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas and accommodating Olympic competition until the gold medal game on Feb. 20.

See a tracker of the NHL players selected to their home countrys respective national team so far here.

Read more here:

Winter Olympics 2022 Guide With Beijing Dates, Fun Facts and More - NBC Sports

(Jeff Roberson | AP) Grace McCallum after competing on the beam during the women's U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials Sunday, June 27, 2021, in St. Louis.

By Lya Wodraska | Special to The Tribune

| Dec. 17, 2021, 1:00 p.m.

Utahs gymnastics team has seen a number of elite gymnasts throughout the years, but arguably none has had a more anticipated arrival than Grace McCallum.

With that anticipation comes pressure.

There are expectations, the Utah freshman said. I think this team can be special and it depends on how hard we work and push each other to do our best every day. I hope I can contribute and be a positive influence.

McCallum knows a thing or two about dealing with pressure.

The Ute gymnast begins her collegiate career fresh off her appearance at the 2020 Olympics, where she had a larger role than expected in the Americans silver medal finish. McCallum competed on all four events after star Simone Biles unexpectedly pulled out of the competition. She served as the leadoff gymnast, one of the difficult slots in the lineup since she set the tone for the team.

McCallum handled the pressure well, hitting all of her routines in the competition. Even though the Americans failed to win the gold as expected, finishing behind Russia, McCallums reputation was helped, not tarnished, by her efforts.

Getting her on the Utah campus is something Utah coach Tom Farden has long hoped for, going back to the days he first learned of her when McCallums coach called him and said he needed to keep an eye out on the rising 12-year-old star.

The Utes will hold their annual Red Rocks event Friday at 7 p.m. in the Huntsman Center. The event is open to the public and will be televised by the Pac-12 Networks. Fans are encouraged to wear masks.

She was a hard-working gymnast who got through her assignments at a fast pace, Farden said. When you see that, see someone get through them and then move on to something else to work on, you wonder where that is going to take them.

Wonder no more, she has arrived in Salt Lake City, ready to help Utah achieve its lofty goals.

McCallum hasnt been with the Utes as long as many of her teammates, since she participated in a post-Olympic tour, but still expected to have plenty to show off to fans when the Utes hold their annual Red Rocks event Friday at the Huntsman Center.

McCallum was as interested in seeing what it would be like in the Huntsman Center as fans likely were in seeing her skills in person.

I am super excited, she said. I love competing and college is going to be whole new experiences. This team works so hard and I know they are going to push me to be a better gymnast.

That kind of attitude is just what Farden likes about McCallum. In addition to her natural skills, McCallum is a hard worker who doesnt plan to treat the Utes season like another post-Olympic tour, she wants to keep pushing.

She is from the same gym as (current Ute) Abby Paulson who is another hard worker, Farden said. She is from Minnesota and I love the Minnesota mentality of rolling up the sleeves and working hard. She is a competitor and she is humble.

The Utes have one of their deepest teams in history, with the lineup going at least eight deep on every event, but McCallum is talented enough to compete on everything. She has a 10.0 vault and has a difficult balance beam and floor routine. Her uneven bars routine will be one fans wont want to miss.

She has power but a nice blend of artistry too, Farden said. She is a little behind because she went on tour and we have to be smart with her training, but she has jumped right back into things.

The Utes return all but one routine from their NCAA lineup and welcome other talented freshmen in Kara Eaker, an Olympic alternate, Amelie Morgan, an Olympian for Great Britain, and Sage Thompson, a three-time junior Olympic national qualifier.

Even though she is a college rookie, McCallum knows there will be a lot of pressure on the Utes to do well in the upcoming season based on the strength of the roster.

McCallum said life has been a blur since the Olympics and she hasnt had time to really process what she did. But she also is thinking about the future and what she can do for the Utes, who finished third at the NCAA Championships.

Going to the Olympics is something I wanted to do my whole life, McCallum said. But competing in college will be something great too. Being in the atmosphere of 15,000 fans is going to be really exciting.

See more here:

After winning Olympic silver, Utes gymnast Grace McCallum is ready for Red Rocks' big expectations - Salt Lake Tribune

I think the place you grow up and the style of waves you grow up surfing definitely molds you into the type of surfer that you become. That sentiment, courtesy of Jordy Smith, could not be more evident in Jordy Smiths surfing. Smith is a power surfers power surfer big turns, incredible amounts of speed, and the kind of surfing that comes from the thighs.

He grew up in Durban, South Africa. Its a place full of punchy beachbreaks and sandbars that create freight train right-hand tubes. In the most recent episode of Silver Linings, Smith goes from Cape Town to Durban to chase an east swell that was lining up just about perfectly. Unfortunately, however, the familiarity he has with the waves he grew up surfing doesnt mean that hes invincible in them. And on this particular trip, he got hurt so badly he had to pull out of the Olympics something that was surely a very hard decision.

When I initially took off on the wave, he remembered, I thought, oh, this is going to be the wave of the day. I asked a friend if he was going to go at the very last minute. It was his turn to go, but he said no, no, no. So I spun and went and pulled into the barrel. Next thing, I saw the doggy door, saw a little light. Tried to squeak out and as Im trying to squeak out, the whole lip just landed right on the side of me. I just fell and hit the deck. It was this loud crack. In my mind, Im like, no, no, Im fine. Just gotta paddle it off. Youll be fine. I tried to stand up on the next two-three waves, but I just knew at that point that something had happened.

Read more:

Here's the Wave That Took Jordy Smith Out of the Olympics - TheInertia.com