Vancouver: Another Russian Medal

Aleksandr Tretyakov adds to the Russian medal tally with a Bronze in the Men’s Skeleton, bringing Russia’s medals total to five (1 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze) in a Vancouver Olympics which never promised to be favourable to Russia, even before the Games started. Scandal has followed scandal, ranging from a death on track to the incredible ruling in the men’s figure skating.

Photo: Vancouver: Another Russian Medal

Aleksandr Tretyakov’s Bronze medal in the men’s Skeleton on Day 8, February 19, came as a welcome accomplishment after the scandal of Evgeni Plushenko’s Silver the previous day after a brilliant display in the men’s figure skating, won by the American Evan Lysacek with a very lacklustre performance. Japan’s Daisuke Takahashi got the Bronze.

On Day 7, the women’s curling team lost 3-10 to Britain, while the ice hockey brought mixed results: the women beat the PR China 2-1 and the men lost by the same result to Slovakia.

On Day 8, February 19, the women’s curling team lost 4-6 to the USA and then lost again 5-8 to Switzerland. In the Men’s Super-G Alpine Skiing, the Russian trio Aleksandr Horoshilov, Stepan Zuev and Sergei Maitakov managed classifications of 28, 36 and 55 in an event won by Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal, with the Americans Bode Miller and Andrew Weibrecht taking Silver and Bronze.

The Ladies’ 15 km pursuit was won by Norway’s Marit Bjoergen, with Silver going to Anna Haag (Switzerland) and Bronze to Poland’s Justyna Kowalczyk. The Russian girls were Olga Savialova (12), Irina Khazova (13), Olga Rotcheva (26) and Evgenia Medvedeva (40).

In the women’s skeleton, Elena Yudina was 18th while Gold went to Britain’s Amy Williams, Silver and Bronze to Germany’s Kerstin Szymkowiak and Anja Huber.

The men’s skeleton saved the day for Russia, bringing a welcome Bronze medal (Aleksandr Tretyakov) behind Canada’s Jon Montgomery and Latvia’s Martins Dukurs.

Medals

USA 21 (6,6,9)

Germany 13 (4,5,4)

Norway 10 (5,3,2)

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY

PRAVDA.Ru