Top 13 American Athletes to Watch in the 2014 Sochi Olympics

From February 6th to the 23rd the whole world will be watching Sochi, Russia and the 2014 winter Olympics. Around the world flags will be hung and anthems sung as people root for their country’s athletes to bring home the gold. If you’re rooting for Team USA this winter, it’s bound to be exciting. While we hope all of our athletes reach the podium, there are several who are already destined for success at Sochi. Here are the top 13 US Olympic athletes to watch for this year.

1 Shaun White

Since his Olympic debut in 2006, White has become a household name. With two Olympic gold medals for the halfpipe under his belt, “The Flying Tomato” is a top-American athlete to watch in both the halfpipe and the newly-created slopestyle events in Sochi this winter.

2 Gracie Gold

This 18-year-old figure skater is hoping to live up to her name in this year’s Olympic Games. With her recent gold medal win in the 2014 US Championships and a silver medal at the 2012 World Championships, she may just have a shot at gold.

3 Ted Ligety

Ligety is out to redeem himself from Vancouver’s games and bring home some hardware. With 3 impressive gold medals at this year’s World Championships in the giant slalom, super G and the super combined, Ligety will be a top contender at Sochi.

4 Ashley Wagner

New to the Winter Olympics, Wagner will be competing for a medal along with Gracie Gold on the US figure skating team. As a decorated figure skater from the World Championships, Wagner will be an athlete to watch at this year’s Olympic Games.

5 Hannah Kearney

Kearney is out to defend her gold medal in freestyle skiing at her third Olympic games. After her flawless moguls run in Vancouver awarding her the gold medal, we can expect nothing less than podium-worthy performance from Kearney.

6 Shani Davis

This two-time defending gold medalist is out to secure his speed-skating title again at Sochi. Known as the first black athlete to win a gold medal in an individual sport, Davis is the athlete to watch in the 1000m and 1500m speed skating events this year.

7 Tarin Yater-Wallace

Holding the title as the youngest medalist in X-Games history, Yater-Wallace is competing in the Winter Games as a freestyle skier. With his impressive track record, Yater-Williams will be a top contender in his event.

8 Bill Demong

This Nordic, 4-time Olympian combined skier is back again and ready to compete for the gold. Holding the title as the 1st American to win an Olympic gold medal in this event, this year he will work to continue his reign.

9 Lindsey Jacobellis

Jacobellis is back for her third Olympics and has her eyes set on gold. After a silver medal from the Torino Olympics and missing the podium altogether in Vancouver, Jacobellis is ready to finally claim her gold in snowboard cross.

10 Lolo Jones

While you may remember her from the 2012 Summer Olympics, Jones is making her Winter Olympic games debut this year in Sochi. Formerly an Olympic hurdler, Jones has made the switch to bobsledding where she will be the push position on the team. Jones will definitely be one to watch to see if she can make her Olympic dreams come true in her new discipline.

11 Julia Mancuso

With the news that Lindsey Vonn won’t be able to compete in this year’s Olympic Games, Julia Mancuso has stepped up as the face of the US Women’s Ski Team. With one gold from the giant slalom at the 2006 Torino Olympics and two silver medals from Vancouver, we can expect nothing less than success from Mancuso.

12 & 13 Meryl Davis and Cheryl L White

This silver-medal ice dancing duo is back and ready to compete. After losing the gold to their fellow training partners in Vancouver, the team will stop at nothing to achieve their long-awaited gold medal.

The 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics will be nothing less than thrilling. The games will be so exhilarating that if you’re having a party for your favorite event, you may need an industrial sweeper after, because things could get rowdy. When watching the Winter Games there are several American athletes who have high chances of becoming Olympic champions. Keep your eyes on these esteemed athletes, as their performance may bring Team USA a gold medal.

About the author: Adrienne is a writer and designer for Bortek Industries who is looking forward to the winter Olympics.