U.S. sending large, experienced team to reclaim share of medals in Beijing

BEIJING, Jan. 25 (BNA): The United States will send its second-largest Winter Olympic squad to compete in Beijing next month, with 222 athletes vying for medals after a disappointing outing in Pyeongchang.

Reuters reported that the United States missed its medal target four years ago, returning 23 medals, its lowest since the 1998 Nagano Games.

The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) said the 2022 roster includes 99 returning Olympians – four of them five-time Olympians – making it the most experienced team the US has sent to the Winter Games.

“This is an exciting 2022 U.S. Olympic Team – a great mix of returning champions who build on a great legacy and first-time Olympians who are eager to show what they can do on the biggest stage in the sport,” Rick Adams, USOPC Chief Athletic Performance Officer said in statment.

“The dedication of these athletes to Team USA to train and compete in this unpredictable global environment is exemplary.”

The list includes the largest number of women athletes the United States has sent to the Winter Olympics, with 107 women expected to compete.

The oldest member of the team is Nick Baumgartner, a 40-year-old snowboarder, while the youngest is 16-year-old snowboarder Alyssa Liu.

MI