Let the games begin! The Winter Olympics are underway in Beijing, so be sure to check out all the amazing highlights – including which of your faves took home the gold.
1 of 14Olympics Highlights
The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics are here! Taking place from February 4 to February 20, the twenty-fourth edition of the wintery competition will see some of the best athletes compete in Beijing, China. The 2022 Games are the first Winter Olympics in China, and the second overall Olympics in China. The Games are also historic for other reasons – the 2022 Olympics marked the last time Shaun White would compete in the Olympics. The games also saw Nathan Chen win Gold, and more athletes achieve their Olympic dreams.
The games were also not without controversy. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented any foreign spectators from entering the already highly-restricted country. There was also the controversy over the Russian Olympic Committee, since Russia was still serving its four-year ban over the state-sponsored doping network uncovered by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Russian skating superstar Kamila Valieva also came under fire when she tested positive for a drug test she took in December, and she was still permitted to compete in the Olympics.
Despite all this controversy, there were plenty of highlights. Check them out in this gallery.
Broderick Thompson of Canada in action during the 2nd training run for the Men’s Downhill race of the Alpine Skiing events of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games at the Yanqing National Alpine Ski Centre Skiing.
Kamila Valieva of Russia competes in the women’s short program
Kamila Valieva, of the Russian Olympic Committee, competes in the women’s short program during the figure skating at the 2022 Winter Olympics on Feb. 15. Kamila has been the center of controversy after she was allowed to keep competing despite failing a drug test.
Ashley Caldwell
Ashley Caldwell of the US performs in the Women’s Freestyle Skiing Aerials qualification at the Zhangjiakou Genting Snow Park at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games. Talking about getting some air.
Nathan Chen
Nathan Chen of the USA performs during the Men’s Free Skating of the Figure Skating events at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games. Nathan would take home the gold.
Japan’s Cross Country Skiing Team
Ryo Hirose, Hiroyuki Miyazawa, Naoto Baba, Haruki Yamashita of Japan. The Cross Country Skiing — Men’s 4x10km Relay pose during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games
Kenny Agostino
United States’ Kenny Agostino (11) celebrates after scoring a goal against Canada during a preliminary round men’s hockey game at the 2022 Winter Olympics. The Canadian jersets are cooler, though, so there’s that.
Kamila Valieva
Kamila Valieva, 15, of the Russian Olympic Committee, reacts after the women’s team free skate program during the figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, in Beijing. She won the competition and helped ROC win gold.
Brandon Frazier & Alexa Knierim
Brandon Frazier (top) and Alexa Knierim (bottom) in action during the Pair Skating – Short Program of the Figure Skating Team Event at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games. He looks like he’s having fun.
Anna Odine Stroem
Anna Odine Stroem of Norway soars through the air during a women’s normal hill ski jumping training session at the 2022 Winter Olympics. She can see her house from there.
Reid Watts
Reid Watts of Canada starts his run during a men’s luge training session during the men’s singles luge training at the 2022 Winter Olympics. Forget the ‘hot seat.’ That seat is cold as ice.
Team USA
Players of the USA celebrate winning the Women’s Ice Hockey preliminary round match between Finland and the USA at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games. USA would face Canada in the Gold Medal game.
Alexander Bolshunov
Winner Alexander Bolshunov (C) of Russia takes a selfie with second-placed Denis Spitsov (L) of Russia and third-placed Iivo Niskanen of Finland after the Men’s 15km+15km Skiathlon event at the Zhangjiakou National Cross-Country Skiing Centre. See, we can all get along!
Ryoyu Kobayashi
Ryoyu Kobayashi of Japan reacts after winning the Men’s Ski Jumping Normal Hill final at the Zhangjiakou National Ski Jumping Centre at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games. Great job, Kobayashi!
Therese Johaug
Therese Johaug of Norway celebrates winning the Women’s 7.5km+7.5km Skiathlon competition at the Zhangjiakou National Cross-Country Skiing Centre at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games. Gotta feel bad for the person behind her.