(L-R) Jayson Terdiman and Chris Mazdzer smile after placing second in doubles luge at the Lake Placid World Cup on Dec. 16, 2018 in Lake Pacific, N.Y.
Last week, Team USA shined on its home turf. USA Luge had an impressive showing at the Lake Placid World Cup, and Chloe Kim reminded us that she's still the boss at Dew Tour. USA Swimming took home first place at FINA Short Course World Swimming Championships, we welcomed a new Team USA baby to the world and much, much more.
1. Tokyo is planning to reuse a lot of the old Olympic buildings it created for the 1964 Olympics in the upcoming Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Three of the seven venues will be from 1964 and a new National Stadium will be built in the same location as the old one in its honor. The stadiums boast sound architecture in addition to a classic appeal that will allow them to fit right in.
2. Team USA kicked off Short Course Swimming Worlds in the best way possible – with a new men’s freestyle relay world record. The team is a hard one to beat on name recognition alone – it’s comprised of two-time Olympic gold medalist Caeleb Dressel, gold medalist Blake Pieroni, Michael Chadwick and gold medalist Ryan Held. They beat the old world record set by the U.S. in 2009 by .27 of a second.
3. What a year for Monique Lamoureux-Morando! She started out 2018 by winning a gold medal, then announced she was pregnant, and has now welcomed her son Mickey to the world. Monique’s twin sister and teammate Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson is also expecting a child in January.
4. Nathan Adrian impressed on a different type of podium.
5. “The most important thing at this meet is to perform to the best of my ability because there have been so many people that have not questioned me and rallied behind me and supported me, and I want them to see the fruits of their labor.”
6. It’s time for the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame to make some room. The original king of quads, aka Olympic medalist Timothy Goebel has been elected into the Hall of Fame alongside Julie Lynn Holmes and the ice dance team of Carol Fox and Richard Dalley.
Remembering 2018
7. As part of our countdown for 2019, we’re remembering a few of our favorite things about 2018. Last week, we looked at our favorite photos from the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games PyeongChang 2018. From luge’s Chris Mazdzer to snowboarding’s Shaun White, para Nordic Skiing’s Oksana Masters to the U.S. sled hockey team, there were plenty of moments to remember.
Wait..... (wheels turning)..... *that moment you realize that Apolo Anton Ohno knows who you are* 😱😱😱
— Mikaela Shiffrin (@MikaelaShiffrin) December 16, 2018
9. We’re already excited for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028, but how about the Winter Olympic Games in 2030? The U.S. Olympic Committee announced last week that they have selected Salt Lake City to represent the United States in a potential bid for the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games!
10. In 2018, Team USA finished on top of the podium, learned how to bounce back, had plenty of personal milestones, and, of course, went viral. We went through 18 of the most liked social media posts by Team USA athletes in 2018, and, you guessed it, your favorites made the list: Mikaela Shiffrin, Simone Biles, Shaun White and more.
11. Chloe Kim did Chloe Kim things this weekend at the Dew Tour in Breckenridge.
THE @ChloeKim EFFECT. 💥
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) December 16, 2018
The 2018 Olympic champion claims the #DewTour modified superpipe GOLD with a score of 94.67 (‼️). #GoTeamUSA pic.twitter.com/FJTYKeBvnx
Home sweet home
13. Two months ago, Chris Mazdzer and Jayson Terdiman announced that they were pairing up to compete in doubles luge. Now, they’ve overachieved on their expectations – and their goals – after winning their first silver medal at the Lake Placid World Cup this weekend.
14. Aaaaaand Chris Mazdzer is giving us all the feels.