As a result, the United States, who has been the underdog to win the medal count, took the lead from day one and never looked back.
The Americans now have over 20 medals, ahead of second-place Germany who only recently reached that 20 medal mark. And the American athletes have done it in a dominating fashion, winning six gold medals – more than any other nation.
More than a week into the Winter Games, superstars from around the country have attracted the attention of sports fans everywhere. On Tuesday, Feb. 16, there were more people watching the Vancouver Olympics than those watching “American Idol,” normally the top-watched show during primetime on Tuesday nights. Stars like Shaun White, Lindsey Vonn, Julia Mancuso, Bode Miller, Evan Lysacek, Shani Davis and Apolo Ohno have been the talk around the sports-watching world.
Historically, the U.S. Winter Olympic team has never been this strong, but these are an Olympics Games that will be remembered for a long time. Athletes like Miller and Ohno have the chance to become some of the most decorated U.S. Olympians within their sport. The U.S. failed to back off the podium following the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where again, they led the overall medal count.
With plenty of more events to come, the U.S. will continue to dominate the slopes and the competition, as other countries have simply feared the American phenoms. After a shaky start to the games, the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili and the technical difficulty in the opening ceremony, these Olympic games have rebounded in a way no one expected. Already, enthusiasm and interest in winter sports have grown and with stars still waiting to earn medals, it doesn’t look like the games will lose its popular attention anytime soon.
