IOC President Thomas Bach’s bombshell decision to ban Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics has shocked everyone, just 65 days out from the tournament.
- A shocking 10.8% of the Russian team have been permanently suspended.
- Elise Christie is now set to repair her Sochi heartbreak in PyeongChang.
- Sochi 2014 gold medalist Lizzy Yarnold looks set for even more success.
- Katie Ormerod will be the one to watch when it comes down to snowboarding.
- Scotland is the most popular birthplace for next year’s GB curling squad.
Although athletes who can prove they are clean will be allowed to compete under a neutral flag, at least 25 Russian athletes have been banned from competing for life.
2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics
The shocking announcement could really benefit Britain, however, with plenty of Team GB hopefuls looking to up their performance from Sochi and take Russia’s newly vacated medals.
British Olympic Association Athletes’ Commision Chairman Ben Hawes shares this sentiment, stating his hope that the decision should “give our athletes the confidence that they line up in a clean competition against the best in the world.”
With strong performances again expected from gold medalist Lizzy Yarnold, skating world champion Elise Christie and snowboard champion Katie Ormerod, the strength of the up-and-coming young UK athletes is a real cause for national enthusiasm.
An exclusive Winter Olympics guide created by winter holiday provider Crystal Ski, reveals the latest news and key figures on Team GB. Using data from the past three Winter Games as well as world championships and tournaments, the guide highlights the ones to watch and predicted medalists.
Winter Games Are Coming also highlights the hotspots in the UK suggesting that location correlates with a future in athletics.
Ones to watch
Qualifications are looking positive for Elise Christie, who recently won her first gold medal at the short track speed skating World Cup. Earlier this year, Christie also became the first woman to secure the gold at the World Championship.
Sochi 2014 gold medalist Lizzy Yarnold also seems to be set for success in 2018, as she recently took home the bronze medal at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation World Cup.
What’s more, Snowboard champion Katie Ormerod has also been noted as one to watch in the guide, as she won a big air World Cup event in Moscow last season. She also took home the slopestyle bronze at the X Games in Aspen last January.
Geographically, Scotland are a region of success, as they have produced Winter Olympic silver and bronze curling medalists at the games in Sochi 2014. The male and female curling teams are currently in training with the goal of taking home a medal at PyeongChang in 2018.
Winter Games Are Coming also revealed that Eve Muirhead and Kyle Smith are the ones to watch at the games, as they are predicted to guide their teams to victory.
To view all the hotspot locations and the ones to watch in PyeongChang 2018 visit: https://www.crystalski.co.uk/
Tags: 2018 Winter Olympics, Athletes, PyeongChang 2018, Team GB, Winter Olympics
