Chasing Gold 🥇: USA still looking for gold in Beijing amid a lot of disappointment
The United States is off to a less than stellar start at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
While the U.S. did score a silver medal in the figure skating team event, Mikaela Shiffrin did not complete her run in the giant slalom, and teammate Nina O'Brien was taken off the giant slalom course on a stretcher after crashing just ahead of the finish line.
Through Monday's events, the U.S. team has won only three medals, all silver. Sweden leads the way with three gold medals, while the Russian Olympic Committee is first in total medals with seven.
The Americans have a chance to make up some ground during Monday night's events, which include Nathan Chen in the men’s short program in figure skating, the men’s Super-G in alpine skiing and the women's freeskiing Big Air final.
North America's best rivalry will also take center stage with another showdown between Team USA and Canada in a women's hockey preliminary match.
Tuesday's action in Beijing also includes mixed doubles curling, the men's 20km individual in biathlon and men's and women's sprint free in cross-country skiing.
TV SCHEDULE: What and how to watch Monday night and Tuesday morning events
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COVID SIDELINES ZHOU: American figure skater Vincent Zhou was knocked out of the men's individual event when he tested positive for COVID-19 as the team was winning the silver medal Monday.
"I am still processing this turn of events, because I have been doing everything in my power in order to stay free of COVID," he said on Instagram. "I've isolated myself so much that the loneliness I've felt in the last month or to has been crushing at times. The enormity of the situation, just the pain of it all is pretty insane."
YOU'RE NEXT, CANADA: The U.S. women's hockey team improved to 3-0 in Olympic competition by cruising past Switzerland 8-0.
Making her first Olympic start, 30-year-old Alex Cavallini saw her first action, after winning gold 2018 Winter Games but never getting off the bench. The Americans next take on Canada, the team they defeated for the gold medal in the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang.
CONDITIONS NOT IDEAL: Olympic athletes are slamming the food, COVID tests and conditions in Beijing quarantine hotels, saying conditions are below standards for those who have to isolate due to positive test results. The International Olympic Committee says it has a support network to deal with athletes' concerns.
"I'm very pale and I have huge black circles around my eyes. I want all this to end. I cry every day," said Russian biathlete Valeria Vasnetsova on Instagram.
Here are more stories that might grab your attention:
SOCIAL MEDIA FALLOUT: Olympic figure skater who gave up US citizenship to compete for China blasted on social media
NOT ON TIME: What we know about why Canada vs. Russia women's hockey game was delayed
MEET WINTER VINECKI: US aerial skier takes winding road to Olympic debut
SECOND CHANCE, DIFFERENT NATION: Kenworthy, others get second chance at glory competing for new country
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