Olympic figure skating is set to commence on Friday with the highly anticipated team competition, where the United States is a strong contender to defend its gold medal from the 2022 Games. The event will pit the world’s top ten-ranked nations against each other in a showcase of skill across four disciplines: men’s singles, women’s singles, pairs, and ice dance.
Since making its debut at the 2014 Sochi Games, the team event has generated significant excitement. Each country’s performance will earn them points ranging from 1 to 10 based on their standings in the short program and rhythm dance events, with the top five teams advancing to the final round featuring the free skate and free dance.
The main rivalry to watch this year is expected to be between the U.S. and Japan, who claimed first and second places in the previous games, respectively, following Russia’s disqualification over a doping case. With Russia still banned from the Olympics due to its ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the bronze medal position appears to be wide open for other nations, including Canada and Georgia, as they all seek to capitalize on this opportunity.
The strategic selections of skaters for each category add an additional layer of intrigue to the competition. Teams typically finalize their rosters approximately 24 hours ahead of the performances. This necessitates careful planning, as skaters who participate in the team event will also compete in their individual categories later in the Olympics. U.S. skater Amber Glenn emphasized the importance of considering mental and physical well-being in these decisions.
For the U.S., the depth of talent in its 16-member team presents a significant advantage. The country has secured the maximum quota spots in men’s, women’s, and ice dance categories, while Japan and Canada both have teams of 12.
As the event kicks off, Alysa Liu, the reigning world champion and a two-time Olympian, leads the charge for the U.S. in the women’s category while Japan counters with three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto. In pairs, the American duo of Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea will face tough competition from Japan’s accomplished team of Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi. Additionally, Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who are the reigning seven-time national champions in ice dance, will look to replicate their success from the last Olympics.
The team competition will continue on Saturday with the final programs for ice dance and the men’s short program, featuring gold medal favorite Ilia Malinin. While he has the potential to attempt a groundbreaking quadruple axel on Olympic ice, it’s uncertain if he will opt for this risky maneuver in the team event, especially given his dominant performance earlier in the year.
As the competition unfolds, updates and decisions regarding the athlete roster for the latter part of the team event will come to light. The weekend will culminate in the awarding of the first figure skating medals of the Games, setting the stage for more thrilling performances in the days to follow as individual events commence. The anticipation and spirit of camaraderie at the Olympics promise an exhilarating showcase for both athletes and fans alike.