1998: ELVIS STOJKO, FIGURE SKATING
The Canadian curse was expected to come to an end in Nagano. With Elvis Stojko having won over judges with his technical skill if not his style to win three world championships, Olympic gold seemed to be within reach. The curse wasn’t conquered, but Stojko earned fans with his gutsy performance to win silver. Skating on a torn adductor muscle, he landed eight triple jumps. Stojko hobbled to the medals podium after his free skate and then was whisked off for medical treatment. “The word exceptional doesn’t do it justice,” said coach Doug Leigh. “The pain threshold, the ability to push through and do what he did ... I can’t think of the word …”