Canada’s skaters glide their way to team gold

Gold Canada.

While the stars of yesterday’s Olympic free skates were a Russian and an American woman, Canada’s deep squad grabbed the team gold medal they so desperately sought.

The top spot was clinched when Gabrielle Daleman finished third behind Russia’s Alina Zagitova and American Mirai Nagasu in the women’s event. That gave Canada 63 points to 58 for the Russians with only the ice dance remaining. The Russians could only pick up a maximum of four points in that discipline.

Just before Daleman’s clincher, Patrick Chan won the men’s free skate against a weakened field, and with a mediocre performance.

Regardless, Canada’s quest for a medal their skaters said they set about winning ever since they wound up second in Sochi was complete with one programme remaining.

“I worked my butt off incredibly hard these past four years to get on this team,” Daleman said. “We have such an incredible, strong team, and I’m proud to say we’ve won and I’m prouder to have been part of it.”

The United States were third with 53 points heading into the free dance and could still be tied by Italy.

The women’s free skate was historic for the Americans. Nagasu, whose career hit several roadblocks since finishing fourth at the 2010 Olympics — she was bumped from the US team for Sochi in favour of Ashley Wagner by a federation committee — had the performance of her life. Not only did her teammates rise in applause, so did skaters from other nations, and not simply because she landed the triple axel so few women even attempt.

“I don’t know if you could tell — it was more something I could feel — but to nail it the way I did, even out of the corner of my eye I could see my teammates standing out of excitement,” Nagasu said. “And at that moment I wanted to stop the music and get off, but I still had my whole programme ahead of me, and to complete the performance to the best of my ability is really exciting.”

Zagitova, the rising star from Russia and reigning European champion, topped Nagasu’s score by 20 points. The 15-year-old stamped herself as the main challenger to countrywoman Evgenia Medvedeva for the gold in the individual event with a brilliant combination of jumps, spins, artistry and overall presence.

NBC has apologised to South Koreans for an on-air remark by an analyst that cited Japan as an example that has been important to the country’s own transformation.

The remark was made by analyst Joshua Cooper Ramo during NBC’s coverage of the opening ceremony. An online petition circulated demanding an apology, and NBC did on its NBCSN cable network on Sunday and formally to the Olympic organising committee.

Japan occupied Korea from 1910 to 1945 and petitioners said anyone familiar with Japanese treatment of Koreans then would be deeply hurt by Ramo’s remark. They also criticised the accuracy of giving Japan credit for South Korea’s resurgence.

Ramo’s role at the Winter Olympics is over. — AP