If you like controversy, Day 11 of the Beijing Olympics will be right up your alley.
Three athletes who have been under the microscope for wildly different reasons — Russian figure skating phenom Kamila Valieva (doping scandal), China’s Eileen Gu (competing for her mother’s homeland instead of the United States, where she was born) and Canadian gold medallist snowboarder Max Parrot (judging questions) — take centre stage for what promises to be a dramatic day of competition.
It follows what was an action-packed Day 10 with Valieva being cleared to compete by the Court of Arbitration for Sport and former Team Canada bobsled star Kaillie Humphries dedicating her monobob gold to her new country — the U.S. — on NBC following an acrimonious split from her old team.
Here’s a look at five stories to watch.
Editor’s note: All events are Tuesday in Eastern Time unless otherwise noted.
Ailing Eileen Gu wins #Gold in the Women’s #FreestyleSkiing Big Air Final!
What an incredible last jump to win it all!#Beijing2022
— Olympics (@Olympics) February 8, 2022
Eileen Gu
Women’s freestyle ski slopestyle final, 8:30 p.m. ET (Monday)
The freestyle skier, 18, has become the face of the Olympics in China. After winning gold in the big air event, she refused to answer if she has given up her U.S. citizenship — China does not allow dual citizenship. She also steers clear of questions about China’s human rights violations. Reuters published a story on her earning power on Monday, noting she is sponsored by two dozen brands with sales soaring after her first gold. Quebec City’s Olivia Asselin, 17, is one of 11 women battling the Chinese star for the medals.
Max Parrot
Men’s snowboard big air final, 12 a.m.
After winning Canada’s first and only gold medal of the Games so far in slopestyle, replays showed judges missed a mistake by Parrot. Fellow Canadian Mark McMorris, who won bronze, also caused controversy when he told CBC he felt he had the run of the day — he has since apologized. Parrot won the qualifier for big air, with McMorris also reaching the 12-man final.
SILVER
Isabelle Weidemann wins her second medal of #Beijing2022 after skating to a long track silver in the women’s 5000m
Details https://t.co/pNp3VcreIl pic.twitter.com/jOjRbix1E2
— Team Canada (@TeamCanada) February 10, 2022
Canadian women’s speedskating team
Team pursuit, semifinals at 1:30 a.m. ET, finals at 3:22 a.m. ET
Canada’s Isabelle Weidemann, Ivanie Blondin and Valerie Maltais have won all three World Cup team pursuit events this season. Weidemann already has a silver (5,000 metres) and bronze (3,000 metres) this Olympics.
Kamila Valieva
Women’s figure skating short program, 5 a.m.
The 15-year-old Russian star only found out she’d be able to compete Monday when the Court of Arbitration for Sport gave her the green light despite failing a previous doping test. CAS decided that she does not need to be provisionally suspended ahead of a full investigation. She tested positive for a banned heart drug on Dec. 25. The court gave her a favorable decision in part because she was a minor — a “protected person” — and was subject to different rules from an adult athlete. It should be noted, though, that another decision looms in the future on the doping infraction — which came to light after Valieva helped Russia win team gold. Therefore, no medals will be awarded if Valieva finishes first, second or third.
Here we go again!
The qualification round schedule is set, and it will be for the second time in three days on Tuesday morning (8 a.m. ET/5 a.m. PT).#TeamCanada | #Beijing2022 pic.twitter.com/QyccMOZYKc
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) February 13, 2022
Canadian men’s hockey team
Qualifying round, vs. China, 8:10 a.m.
A scheduling quirk sees Canada facing the host side for the second game in a row — only this time the loser will be eliminated. Canada beat China 5-0 on Sunday and will be heavily favoured to advance to a quarterfinal against Sweden.
— With files from The Associated Press
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