Recently in Olympics Category

By Gerry Smith

Since capturing the Olympic gold medal in men's figure skating, Evan Lysacek has become a bona fide celebrity, appearing on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "Today."

This month his whirlwind tour makes another stop, this time in his hometown of Naperville, where the city will host Evan Lysacek Day on March 26.

"The City of Naperville is thrilled and bursting with excitement in anticipation of welcoming our Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek home!" Mayor George Pradel said, exclamation point and all, in a news release issued Thursday.

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TORONTO -- Reebok Canada is offering a $10,000 reward, no questions asked, for the return of the stick and gloves Sidney Crosby used to score in overtime in Canada's Olympic championship victory over the United States.

The equipment disappeared after Crosby tossed his stick and ripped off his gloves to celebrate. Hockey Canada says all of the equipment was collected and was being put into the players' bags when it was noticed Crosby's stick and glove were missing.

The organization is trying to figure out what happened and security officers are reviewing video that shows people leaving the rink with sticks.

If the gear is returned, Crosby can decide to keep the items in his trophy case or give them to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Photo: Have you seen this stick? Canada's Sidney Crosby leaps in the air after making the game-winning goal. (AP / Chris O'Meara)

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ERFURT, Germany -- Olympic gold medalist Shani Davis of the United States collected his fifth 1,000-meter World Cup victory of the season on Saturday to clinch the overall title before the World Cup finale next weekend.

In the first World Cup since the Vancouver Olympics, Davis won the 1,000 in 1 minute, 9.29 seconds. The Olympic 1,500 gold medalist Mark Tuitert of the Netherlands was second, 14-hundredths of a second slower.

One week before the finale in Heerenveen, Davis clinched his third straight overall World Cup title.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin took Russian sports officials to task on Friday over the nation's dismal showing at the Vancouver Games despite what he described as a generous state funding.

The angry Putin told a government meeting In Moscow that Russian sports federations must get broader powers and specific responsibilities, more sports facilities need to be built and wages of coaches must be increased to prevent a similar humiliation when Russia hosts the Winter Games in Sochi in 2014.

"Following our modest Olympic results I already hear some say that ... it's not the most important thing to be among the leaders, the most important thing is to make a good showing," Putin said with a wry smile. "I must tell you it's not so. You go into the games not just to sweat, but to win."

PITTSBURGH -- Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller received a standing ovation in Pittsburgh on Tuesday night for leading the United States to an Olympic silver medal -- cheers louder than those given the Penguins' own Sidney Crosby.

Crosby beat Miller to score the game-winning goal in overtime Sunday as Canada defeated the United States 3-2 for the gold medal. Despite being on the losing team, Miller was chosen as the tournament MVP.

The Olympics might be over, but the ratings bonanza never ends.

American skier Lindsey Vonn appeared on "The Tonight Show" on Monday and talked about her experience at the Vancouver Games.

Jay Leno's hard-hitting questions covered several topics, including Vonn's relationship with her husband, her knack for cheese therapy and how her Sports Illustrated cover shot turned out better than Leno's.

Men's figure skating Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek of Naperville will present the Top 10 list on the "Late Show With David Letterman" at 10:35 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.

Most of the Olympics stars are heading off to appearances on Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" on the Olympic network, NBC.

As previously reported, Lysacek also will appear on this season's version of "Dancing With the Stars" on ABC.

Crain's Chicago Business reports: Canada's gold-medal hockey victory Sunday over the United States was the most-watched hockey game in 30 years and drew an astounding 23.4 local rating on WMAQ-Channel 5. The rating peaked at 28.7 (more than 1 million homes) at 4:45 p.m.

Nationally, Canada's 3-2 overtime win drew an average viewership of 27.6 million, the most watched hockey broadcast of any kind since the USA vs. Finland 1980 gold-medal game in Lake Placid on Feb. 24, 1980 (32.8 million).  The "Miracle on Ice" USA-Russia semifinal game that aired on tape delay on Feb 22, 1980, drew 34.2 million viewers.

Get the full story: ChicagoBusiness.com

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev demanded Monday that sports officials step down over the country's dismal performance at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Russia, a traditional winter sports powerhouse, won just 15 medals -- with only three golds -- in one of its worst performances. Officials said before the games that 30 medals and a top-three finish in the medal standings was the target. Russia placed 11th for golds and sixth in the overall medal count.

In televised comments, Medvedev said if those responsible for preparing the athletes don't resign then the decision will be made for them. He did not mention anyone by name.

"Those who bear the responsibility for Olympic preparations should carry that responsibility. It's totally clear," Medvedev said. "I think that the individuals responsible, or several of them, who answer for these preparations, should take the courageous decision to hand in their notice. If we don't see such decisiveness, we will help them."

The scene at at B.C. Place in Vancouver for the Closing Ceremony. (Nuccio DiNuzzo / Tribune)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- An Olympics that began with the death of a luger ended Sunday with an exuberant celebration of Canada -- reflecting a determined comeback by the host country's organizers and athletes.

A festive crowd of 60,000 jammed into BC Place Stadium for the closing ceremony, many of them Canadians abuzz over the overtime victory by their men's hockey team earlier in the day to give the host nation a Winter Olympics record of 14 gold medals.

The gaiety -- capped by a boisterous rock concert -- contrasted sharply with the moment of silence at the opening ceremony Feb. 12 for Nodar Kumaritashvili, the 21-year-old luger killed in a horrific training-run crash on the sliding track in Whistler just hours before that ceremony.

By Philip Hersh

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Canada already had won the gold medal count in the 2010 Olympics.

But that would have meant little to most of the country without the 14th gold, which it got Sunday with a 3-2 OT victory over the United States in the men's gold medal hockey game.

They did in overtime on a goal by the man with the most pressure to deliver, NHL superstar Sidney Crosby. It came 7:40 into a sudden death overtime which the teams were playing 4 on 4.

"Our team worked so unbelievably hard," Crosby said. "Today was really tough, especially when they got a goal late in regulation. But we came back and got it in overtime."

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- An Olympics that began with the death of a luger ended Sunday with an exuberant celebration of Canada -- reflecting a determined comeback by the host country's organizers and athletes.

A festive crowd of 60,000 was jamming into BC Place Stadium for the Closing Ceremony, many of them Canadians abuzz over the overtime victory by their men's hockey team earlier in the day to give the host nation a Winter Olympics record of 14 gold medals.

The gaiety contrasted sharply with the moment of silence at the Opening Ceremony Feb. 12 for Nodar Kumaritashvili, the 21-year-old luger killed in a horrific training-run crash on the sliding track in Whistler just hours before that ceremony.

"The games started in very difficult conditions. ... No one will forget that," IOC president Jacques Rogge said before the closing. "However, you have to be fair to the organizers, you have to be fair to the Canadians, and you have to be fair to athletes and judge the games on their own merit -- without forgetting what happened before."

By Philip Hersh

Zach Parise scored with 20 seconds left in the third period to tie it up at 2-2. Jamie Langenbrunner gets puck from behind net to Patrick Kane, who shoots and Parise knocks in rebound.

Parise's goal sent the game into a 20-minute, sudden-death overtime with teams playing 4-on-4. A shootout would follow if it remained tied. The shots were also tied at 32 going into overtime.

The Hawks' Kane had two assists going into overtime, making him the only player with two points in regulation.

The Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews was named top forward of the Olympics, with the U.S.'s Ryan Miller named best goalie and Brian Rafalski the best defenseman.

Also named to the team was Canadian defenseman Shea Weber and Slovakia forward Pavol Demitra, who led all scorers at the Games with 10 points.

Miller was also named Olympic tournament MVP. The All-Star team was named after the second period of the gold-medal game.

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- A who's who of hockey and homeland royalty is out for Canada's gold-medal showdown with the United States on the final day of the Vancouver Olympics.

So many celebrities are at the game, it's hard to keep track.

Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper came through the arena's suite-level concourse with his security detail about an hour before Sunday's opening faceoff. "Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe was cheered when fans spotted him in a suite. Wayne Gretzky was later seen with the prime minister watching the game. Mark Messier got applause when he was shown on the arena's video board.

Earlier, Harper bet U.S. president Barack Obama a case of beer over the result. Obama had a case of Yuengling, a Pennsylvania regional brew, riding on the game. Harper wagered 24 bottles of Molson. The beer battle pits Canada's oldest brewery against the oldest beer maker in the U.S.

Actor Vince Vaughn, a friend of the U.S. players, watched from a skybox for the second consecutive game wearing a blue U.S. team jersey.

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Vail Resorts is honoring Vancouver double medalist Lindsey Vonn by naming a trail after her.

Starting Sunday, the expert "International" trail will be known as "Lindsey's." It was used for women's speed events during the World Alpine Championships at Vail and Beaver Creek in 1989 and 1999.

At the Vancouver Games, Vonn, who lives in Vail, became the first American woman to win a gold medal in the downhill, her signature event. She also won a bronze in the super-G.

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By Philip Hersh

Ryan Kesler scores with an assist from the Blackhawks' Patrick Kane. Kane shot the puck toward the net, and Kesler redirected it in with 7:16 left in second period. Zach Parise gets good chance 30 seconds later, beating in on left, but has no angle to beat Canada's goalie Roberto Luongo.

The intensity of the game ratcheted up exponentially after the goal energized the U.S.

With Kane leading the way, cruising in circles with the puck in the Canada zone, working shots from the side of the circle, the U.S. suddenly began to control the play for lengthier stretches as the second period ended with Canada ahead 2-1.

Canada missed a great chance to put a stake in the US back when Dan Boyle's brilliant pass sent Eric Stahl in alone with 53 seconds left in the period, but Stahl's shot went high and wide.

The shots were even at 15-15 in the second period, with Canada holding a 25-23 advantage after two.

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Judging of the figure skating competitions at the Vancouver Olympics was "absolutely impeccable," International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said Sunday.

Evgeni Plushenko has complained bitterly about the results of the men's competition, where the Russian finished second to American Evan Lysacek despite being the only top contender to land a clean quadruple jump. But there is nothing to criticize, Rogge said.

"Let me say this very clearly: The IOC has discussed this with the International Skating Union, the judging has been absolutely impeccable, there is nothing to criticize the judges," Rogge said. "They have applied the system that has been approved."

By Philip Hersh

Canada's Corey Perry puts Canada up 2-0 with a goal at 12:47. He pounced on the loose puck in front of goalie Ryan Miller's net.

Jonathan Toews heads to the penalty box at 11:35 with a penalty, giving the U.S. a power play. Canada killed the penalty.

A Bobby Ryan penalty put the U.S.down a man early in the second period, but goalie Miller comes up big on a shot by Canada's Joe Thornton.

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WASHINGTON -- Something is brewing in U.S.-Canada relations. And it's on Olympic ice.

President Barack Obama is betting a case of beer with the Canadian prime minister on the outcome of Sunday's U.S.-Canada gold medal game.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said President Barack Obama had a case of Yuengling, a Pennsylvania regional brew, riding on the game. Prime Minister Stephen Harper is wagering 24 bottles of Molson. The beer battle pits Canada's oldest brewery against the oldest beer maker in the United States. Molson Canada is now a subsidiary of Molson Coors Brewing Co., a marriage of Molson and Denver-based Coors.

There was no word on where the cross-border exchange would occur.

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By Philip Hersh

The Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews scored the first goal of the game with 7:10 left. It was his first goal of the Games. He has eight points so far (7 points off of assists).

Canada has an 10-8 advantage in shots on goal.

Bobby Ryan called for tripping with 6 minutes to go for the first penalty of game, but Canada got only one dangerous chance as U.S. killed it.

The Blackhawks' Duncan Keith had the first shot on goal for Canada, but it was sticked away by Goalie Ryan Miller at first minute.

Later, Canada's Dany Heatley was checked hard into the U.S. bench.

With about 10:00 to go in the first period, the puck squirted behind Canada's goalie Roberto Luongo, but Keith pushed it off the goal line.

Photo: Jonathan Toews scores a goal past U.S. goalie Ryan Miller. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images) /p>

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By Philip Hersh

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Team USA was greeted with smattering of boos as it came out for warmup at Canada Hockey Palace.

Canada did not come out until until four minutes later, and the crowd made a similar sound with an "ooooh" in it, except this was preceded by an "l," for "Lou," the nickname of Canada's  goalie Roberto Luongo, who was first onto the ice.

During warmups, USA's Ryan Malone flicked several pucks at feet of his former NHL teammate and Canadian star Sidney Crosby. And each time Ryan Kesler skated along the red line, he held his stick high when passing a Canadian player.

The Blackhawks' Brent Seabrook was one of the last to take the ice after glove bumping all his teammates.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE GAME LIVE ON WGN RADIO!

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WHISTLER, British Columbia -- Norway's Petter Northug has won the men's 50-kilometer classical cross-country race for the next-to-last gold medal of the Olympics.

Northug used his trademark sprint to push past Axel Teichmann of Germany on the final straightaway. The Norwegian finished Sunday's race in 2 hours, 5 minutes, 35.5 seconds for his second gold medal of the Olympics.

Teichmann took the silver after coming in 0.3 seconds behind. Johan Olsson of Sweden took bronze, 1 second back.

It was a similar finish to the team sprint, where Northug also blew past Teichmann near the end for his first gold medal.

The final Olympic competition is the men's gold-medal hockey game between Canada and the U.S.

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