Americans tied for fifth in team figure skating
The Opening Ceremony is Friday, but the events started Thursday, highlighted by team figure skating, a new event.
After a seventh-place finish in the men’s short program by Jeremy Abbott and fifth-place performance in the pairs short program by Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir, the American team is tied for fifth with Germany and France with 10 points.
The host Russians, led by three-time Olympic medalist Evgeny Plushenko, are in first with 19 points, followed by Canada (17) and China (15).
The event continues Saturday with Ashley Wagner in the ladies' short program, Meryl Davis and Charlie White in the ice dancing short dance. The pairs’ free skate follows after all but the top five countries are cut.
Abbott, a four-time U.S. champ, managed only a single axel on a planned triple and will likely be replaced by Jason Brown for Sunday’s free skate.
Cauldron honors?
All eyes will be on the Olympic cauldron at the Opening Ceremony. Speculation is focusing on Russian hockey great Vladislav Tretiak as the person who will light the cauldron. Tretiak has said he’ll take part, but hasn’t said in what capacity.
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Marian Gaborik had to withdraw from the Slovakian Olympic hockey team because he is not fully recovered from a broken collarbone.
Vancouver Canucks star
Henrik Sedin (ribs) will not play for team Sweden.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis has been added to the Canadian Olympic hockey team. Others in consideration were Claude Giroux (Philadelphia Flyers) and James Neal (Pittsburgh Penguins). Boston Bruins defenseman
Zdeno Chara will be the flagbearer for Slovakia at the Opening Ceremony.