All opinions are mine and mine alone.

Colorado Sends 35 Athletes to the Olympics

Between another Russian doping scandal and Kim Yo-Jong’s infectious smile, the biggest story out of the olympics thus far may have come from a 17 year-old Colorado snowboarder. After sleeping in, losing his coat, and swearing on national television, the young prodigy Red Gerard won Team USA’s first gold medal.

Gerard is one of 35 athletes from Colorado joining this year’s 242-athlete roster for Team USA. It’s actually the most athletes team USA has ever brought and Colorado boats the most athletes out of any state.

Pan out from the empty beer cans piling around the 18 strong Gerard clan to the town of Steamboat Springs as they hold a ceremony to send off their 15 athletes appearing in the Winter Olympics. The town, who now boasts 90 athletes appearing in the olympics all-time, passed around a torch from past competitors to new ones in a ceremony to celebrate their achievements. This year, Steamboat Springs welcomes the second most olympians out of of any city in the nation.

It’s easy to understand why Colorado would boast the most olympic athletes out of any state. With its legendary slopes and ski resorts, many people flock to Colorado to train for competitive alpine skiing and snowboarding events. Colorado’s olympic contributions feature 23 men and 13 women competing in 17 different events.

Colorado is also home to the olympic training facility in Colorado Springs. Many athletes and people soak up Colorado Springs real estate to continue their training. Although, the olympic training facility primarily focuses on summer events.

As Team USA searches for their 100th gold medal, Red Gerard and the rest of Colorado’s athletes seem primed to help Team USA to accomplish that goal. For how much slack the winter olympics gets- think of curling and bobsledding- it’s actually filled with drama and intrigue. It’s only ironic that I, Tanya has just come out. Think of Michael Phelps’s legacy and even the cold war hockey games.

Here in Colorado, they’re excited to watch their neighbors and family members compete on the world stage!