Winter Olympics LIVE: Kamila Valieva returns in figure skating as Team GB beat Sweden in curling
Follow latest updates from Beijing Winter Olympics 2022
Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva held back tears after she returned to the Winter Olympics ice for the women’s short programme, despite a court ruling that she tested positive for a banned substance. The 15-year-old is still subject to disciplinary procedures but has been allowed to compete by a panel of three arbitrators appointed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as Russia tries to land a clean sweep of medals in the event. If she wins the event, for which she is an overwhelming favourite, the IOC has said she will not be honoured in a medal ceremony until an investigation into the doping allegations is complete. She leads the field after the first of two skates.
Meanwhile, Great Britain’s Brad Hall and Nick Gleeson crashed on their penultimate run of the two-man bobsleigh. Hall’s sled overturned towards the end of the run and they slid over the finish line on their side, but both emerged apparently unscathed. The Britons had started the final day of competition in 11th place after the first two runs, 1.36 seconds off the lead.
Elsewhere, China’s Eileen Gu, who won gold last week in big air, claimed silver in the women’s freeski slopestyle. Team GB’s wait for a medal goes on, though, as Kirsty Muir and Katie Summerhayes finished eighth and ninth respectively. Follow live coverage from the Winter Olympics below:
Winter Olympics 2022: Gasser thrilled over ‘biggest achievement’
Austria’s Anna Gasser, who won the second big gold medal in big air, said it was an “unexpected” victory for her today.
“All the young girls [have been] inspiring me so much over the last four years – the progression was so high. I was just so happy to be part of the big show. To walk away with the win is unbelievable and I’m so happy to show my tricks in the big stage,” she said.
Describing it as her biggest achievement, she said her feat can inspire another generation and other riders to get into snowboarding.
She retained her Olympics title earlier today by scoring a huge 95.50 points on her final run after successfully landing a 1260.
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott of New Zealand and Japan’s Murase Kokomo held second and third spots on the podium.
Winter Olympics 2022: Team GB star James Woods unable to make slopestyle
James Woods, Team GB’s only competitor in the freeski slopestyle, was not able to make it for the men’s slopestyle qualifying after suffering an injury during the big air.
In a lengthy post on Instagram before his no-show, he said he is “full of painkillers and strapped up in bed” ahead of a freestyle skiing event. But seemed hopeful and said might be “ready for action” after a good sleep.
“Unfortunately this morning my back completely seized up due to heavy landings throughout the Big Air event and Slopestyle practice and I’ve been unable to move freely or without pain all day,” he had said.
Winter Olympics 2022: US men beat Switzerland 7-4 in curling
The US men’s curling team moved within reach of a playoff berth beating Switzerland 7-4.
The John Shuster-led team is now in fourth place after its fourth victory following matches against the two bottom teams on the board: Italy and Denmark.
It would take six wins for the 2018 gold medalists to secure a spot in the semifinals.
Defending silver medalists Sweden (7-0) remained unbeaten with an 8-3 win over Denmark in the morning session. Britain (5-1) is in second, and Canada (5-2) beat China 10-8 to hold onto third place.
Winter Olympics 2022: Switzerland beat Italy to win downhill gold
Switzerland’s Corinne Suter has won the women’s downhill gold to disrupt hopes of an Italian sweep at the top of podium. The 2021 world champion won with a lead of 0.16 seconds ahead of Sofia Goggia.
Italy’s Goggia and Nadia Delago, who were set to win gold before Suter took to the slopes, will have to settle with silver and bronze respectively.
Team USA’s Mikaela Shiffrin didn’t make it to the podium after posting a time of 1:34.36.
China’s Eileen Gu wins silver in slopestyle
America-born Eileen Gu has won her second medal for China, taking silver in the women’s freestyle skiing slopestyle final.
Switzerland’s Mathilde Gremaud took the gold in the event after a second run score of 86.5.
Estonia Kelly Sildaru won bronze after finishing third and was greeted by Gremaud and Gu at the finish line.
Gold for Anna Gasser in big air
Austria’s Anna Gasser tops the podium in the women’s snowboard big air, retaining her Olympic title in the process.
Gasser scored a huge 95.50 points on her final run after successfully landing a 1260, a feat that could not be matched by her closest competitors Zoi Sadowski-Synnott of New Zealand and Japan’s Murase Kokomo.
Sadowski-Synnott takes silver, with Kokomo in third place completing the podium.
Team GB looking to ‘make corrections’ in bobsleigh after tough first day in Beijing
ICYMI: Nick Gleeson says he’d push pilot Brad Hall until his legs fall off and he will need to do all that and more to get Britain in two-man medal contention.
Things did not go to Hall’s immaculately devised plan on the opening day of men’s bobsleigh competition in Yanqing, which ended with Britain in 11th place.
Tom Harle has the story.
Team GB looking to ‘make corrections’ in bobsleigh after tough first day in Beijing
Medal hopes hang in the balance after errors on the track
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies