Vancouver Olympics medal count: US chances for Saturday
(Read article summary)The US will win a medal in the men's speedskating team pursuit and will likely do the same in the four-man bobsled at the Vancouver Olympics. Bode Miller could medal in slalom.
Vancouver, British Columbia
The United States added a short track silver and bronze to its medal count Friday, setting itself up for a historic finish to the Vancouver Olympics.
• Silver: Kathrine Reutter (1000 meters)
• Bronze: men’s relay team (which includes Apolo Ohno)
The US has virtually guaranteed that it will finish first in the overall Winter Olympics medal count for the first time since 1932, and only the second time ever. The US holds a 34-27 lead on Germany entering the last full day of competition today.
It’s also now certain that the US will break its record for most-ever medals won in a Winter Olympics (34), set in 2002. Team USA is in the men’s hockey final Sunday, guaranteeing at least one more silver.
What remains uncertain is whether the US will be able to tie or surpass its record for most gold medals in a Winter Olympics (10), also set in 2002. It currently has eight.
Why are those funky Vancouver medals so big?
Here is a brief look at American chances in medal events for Saturday, Day 16.
Curling (men): Canada is the strong favorite to pick up its ninth gold here – succeeding where the Canadian women surprisingly fell short Friday. They face the fantastic pants of Norway. The bronze-medal match pits Sweden, who curls like it were a sport in the X Games – all daring and risk – against Switzerland.
