It's official! We have Olympic Fever. And, to celebrate the Olympics we will continue to feature our favorite Olympians (and Olympic hopefuls) on The GameOn Podcast every week. We also will keep you updated on the progress of all of our GameOn Olympic guests right here on GoGameFace.com. With the Winter Games less than one month away many of our guests are just a few days away from clinching spots on the US Olympic Team (and some have already clinched!) Check out the list below for the most recent news on our favorite Olympians. You can also visit NBCOlympics.com and TeamUSA.org for photos, videos and the full schedule of Olympic events. Finally, don't forget to tune in to The GameOn Podcast Olympic Specials available (in addition to our regular weekly shows) every week on GoGameFace.com and iTunes.
GAMEON OLYMPIANS (Those Who Will Be Competing In Vancouver)
SHANNON BAHRKE, Freestyle Skiing
Shannon has been very consistent in her competitions this season and currently sits in fourth place in the overall world cup standings going into the Olympics. Vancouver will be Shannon's third Olympic competition. While there, Shannon will be looking to repeat (or even better) her 2002 silver medal performance.
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ALLISON BAVER, Short Track Speedskating
Allison will be competing in her third Olympic games next month where she'll be skating in the 1000M, 1500M and 3000M relay. The speedskating competition goes on for nearly the entire duration of the Olympics. For up to date results during the games you can visit the Results page on NBCOlympics.com.
ERIN HAMLIN, Luge
When Erin won the world championships last summer, not only did she end Germany's 99-race winning streak, but she solidified herself as a medal contender in the women's luge event next month at the Winter Games. Erin's trip to Vancouver will be her second Olympics (she finished in 12th place in Torino) and as she told us on the GameOn Podcast, she is much more consistent this time around and very much looking forward to competing.
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You can also follow Erin on Twitter as @ErinHamlin
KATHERINE REUTTER, Short Track Speedskating
21 year old Katherine is a three time Short Track National Champion. She will be making her first trip to the Olympics this year and will compete in all four of the short track events in Vancouver (500M, 1000M, 1500M and 3000M Relay). Despite this being her first Olympics, expectations are high for Katherine as she is considered a metal contender in each of her events. For up to date results during the games you can visit the Results Page on NBCOlympics.com.
For more on Katherine check out KatherineReutter.com, NBCOlympics.com and TeamUSA.org
MICHELLE ROARK, Freestyle Skiing
Michelle will be competing in her second Olympics this winter as she will be part of the very strong US Freestyle Olympic Team. After finishing in third place at the Deer Valley World Cup earlier this month, Michelle showed the world that she is a medal contender.
ANGELA RUGGIERO, Women's Ice Hockey
Angela was just named an alternate captain to the U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team. She and the rest of the team are currently playing in the Quest Tour, a 10-game, nine-city tour that began on Sept. 25. The final game will take place at the World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Feb. 4 against Finland. While on the Quest Tour, Team USA lost three games against Canada, the team that poses the biggest challenge to them at the Olympics. Team USA begins the Olympic tournament when they face off against China on Sunday, February 14th.
You can also follow Angela on twitter as @Angela_Ruggiero
HANNAH TETER, Snowboarding (Halfpipe)
Hannah officially made the Olympic team after finishing in second place in both Grand Prix this weekend. As a result, Hannah will be looking to repeat her gold medal performance when she competes in Vancouver next month. Hannah also showed what a champion she really is when she announced that she will be donating her ten thousand dollar winnings to help the earthquake victims in Haiti.
Olympic Hopefuls Who Failed To Secure A Spot On Their Respective Olympic Teams
SASHA COHEN, Figure Skating
Sasha brought down the house with an incredible short program performace at the US Nationals, but failed to keep her long program error-free. As a result, Sasha finished in fourth place at the US Nationals and will not be competing in Olympics. When we recently spoke with her on The GameOn Podcast she talked about her comeback, her intentions to compete at Nationals and discussed her cameo in Blades of Glory.
To find out more about Sasha visit SashaCohen.com (currently under construction), NBCOlympics.com and TeamUSA.org
MARIA CRUZ GARCIA, Speedskating
We spoke with Maria just days after she suffered an injury at the Short Track Olympic Trials. Despite the fact that the injury wiped out her chances of making the 2010 US Olympic Team in short track speedskating, Maria inspired us when she announced (on our show!) that she was going to try to qualify for a sport on the Long Track Olympic Team. Maria decided to do this even though she never competed in Long Track Speedskating before! Unfortunately, Maria did not end up making the Olympic team, but her dedication, determination and HUGE heart leaves us in awe of her. Even though Maria will not be competing in Vancouver next month, she is still a true champion in our eyes.
STEVE FISHER, Snowboarding (Halfpipe)
As Steve announced on his twitter page Friday night his Olympic dreams ended with a 9th place finish at the most recent U.S. Grand Prix in Park City on January 22. Despite not going to the Olympics, Fish still rocks and will always be one of our favorites. He is after all, the one who explained that a back side five is not (contrary to our belief) a high five using your backside.
ELLERY HOLLINGSWORTH, Snowboarding (Halfpipe)
After Ellery's sixth place finish at the last Grand Prix, she failed to make the Olympic team. Despite not going to Vancouver, Ellery is one of the youngest and most talented snowboarders competing today. As a result, we suspect we'll see her competing in another Olympics some time real soon.
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Photos above courtesy of NBC/USOC. Photo of Maria Cruz Garica courtesy of Shade Global.
