DID YOU KNOW?

In 1948, two U.S. hockey teams, backed by rival associations, arrived for the St. Moritz Games. The team backed by the American Hockey Association, which included pros, ultimately was recognized as the official representative over the strictly amateur club, sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Union and USOC. Almost 3,000 athletes have qualified to represent their countries at the Pyeongchang Olympics, but the Russian team won’t be included, at least not officially, following a ban imposed by the IOC over allegations of state-sponsored doping. Before this Games, Russia held second place as the most successful country at the Winter Olympics, having captured 328 medals, including 132 gold. (Germany was first at 377.)

Russian short-track skater

Victor An won four medals before his hometown crowd in Sochi — including three gold — to become the first athlete in his sport to capture a medal in all four speedskating events at a single Games. He has six career golds and eight total medals, matching American Apolo Ohno. Unfortunately, he is among the Russian athletes barred by the IOC from competing in Pyeongchang.