Winter Games begin, Putin keen to prove doubters wrong
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin attends the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics on Friday determined to prove his doubters wrong after militant attacks, a row over gay rights and ballooning costs overshadowed prepar…
Figure skating-Russians in pole position for team glory
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – A rousing performance by world pairs champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov put hosts Russia in pole position to win the first ever figure skating team event gold medal at the Winter Olympics on Thursday.
Canadian Babikov embraces second ‘home’ Games
ROSA KHUTOR, Russia (Reuters) – Canadian cross-country skier Ivan Babikov is looking forward to the rare treat of taking part in a second successive “home” Olympics as he returns to compete in Russia, the land of his birth.
Coach Arena signs contract extension with LA Galaxy
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Former United States coach Bruce Arena, who has guided the LA Galaxy to two Major League Soccer (MLS) titles and three MLS Cup finals, signed a multi-year contract extension with the club on Thursday.
Gunther overcomes fractures and funding worries
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – American speedskater Kelly Gunther battled back to competition after nearly having her foot amputated four years ago, so a lack of cash was never going to stop her realizing her Olympic ambitions.
Austrian Morgenstern jumps weeks after bad crash
ROSA KHUTOR, Russia (Reuters) – Austrian ski jumper and three-times Olympic gold medallist Thomas Morgenstern took part in a practice jump on Thursday four weeks after suffering head injuries in a leap that went badly wrong.
Empty seats greet Plushenko’s Sochi debut
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – Yevgeny Plushenko was supposed to be one of Russia’s biggest draws as the nation hosts its first Winter Olympics but even the presence of the controversial showman failed to fill the figure skating arena on Thursday.
Mellow Miller missing the old vibes
ROSA KHUTOR, Russia (Reuters) – Alpine skiing’s former wild man Bode Miller has a problem and he hopes to cure it in time for Sunday’s Olympic downhill.
Wagner gambles on ‘vicious’ new routine
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – Controversially gifted a spot on the U.S. Olympic figure skating team despite an error-strewn performance at the national championships, Ashley Wagner decided only radical change would give her shot at the podium in Sochi.
St. Louis replaces injured Stamkos for Canada
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) – Tampa Bay Lightning captain Martin St. Louis was named in the Canadian Olympic men’s ice hockey team on Thursday after team mate Steve Stamkos was ruled unfit to play.
