► Martin Fourcade elected to the IOC
Former French biathlete Martin Fourcade has been elected to the Athletes’ Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the IOC announced Thursday (February 17th) in Beijing. He joins this commission for eight years, whose mission is “to represent the athletes and support them, both on and off the competition field”.
→ TO READ. Beijing Olympics: Martin Fourcade elected to the IOC Athletes’ Commission
The five-time Olympic champion and 13-time world champion said to himself ” happy ” and « honoré » of his designation. Among its objectives,it will be necessary “addressing environmental issues” and “also be in contact with athletes to understand their needs, their sensitivities”.
► Shiffrin KO in the combined, Miradoli can harbor regrets
The American skier probably had her worst Olympic Games. Huge favorite of the combined, author of a good performance during the descent (5th place), Mikaela Shiffrin fell a few seconds after starting the slalom, forcing her to retire. She thus left Beijing without an individual medal.
Frenchwoman Romane Miradoli was not much luckier. While she was 18 hundredths of a second ahead of Ester Ledecka in second qualifying, she straddled a gate close to the finish, letting a possible place on the podium slip away. Swiss Michelle Gisin won the combined.
► Kevin Rolland qualified for the half-pipe finals
Three years after a terrible fall that could have cost him his life, the 32-year-old freestyle skier and flag bearer of the French delegation wanted to end his Olympic career with a half-pipe final, knowing his slim chances of a podium . It’s done, after his narrow qualification.
→ PORTRAIT. Beijing Olympics: Kevin Rolland, the survivor, has “nothing to lose, everything to prove”
After a very average first run (65.25 points), Kevin Rolland raised his level during the second run (75.25 points), to finish in tenth place and ensure his presence in the final, which will take place on Saturday. American Aaron Blunck (92 points) dominated qualifying.
► Fifth place in France in the Nordic combined
They were ranked fifth before the 4×5 km relay, thanks to a good ski jumping event. But the podium was already too far for Matteo Baud, Gaël Blondeau, Antoine Gérard and Laurent Muhlethaler: the French did not manage to catch up on the lead. A result which however represents a good performance for the Habs, which we did not expect at this level.
► In hockey, Canada regains the title from the North American neighbor
After losing to the United States four years ago, Canadian hockey players got their revenge on Thursday, beating their neighbors 3-2. This is the 5th time that the country has with the maple leaf wins the Olympic Tournament.
→ REPORT. Beijing Olympics: snowboards in the city
► Kamila Valieva gives in under pressure
The 15-year-old Russian has not been able to bear the pressure accumulated on her shoulders for several days. Yet well ahead when approaching the free skating event, the child prodigy, suspected of doping, missed several figures during his program and ended in tears on the track. She fell to fourth place, at the foot of the podium, and therefore found herself deprived of a medal.
→ ANALYSIS. Beijing Olympics: behind the Russian skater Kamila Valieva, a champion factory with shady methods
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The program for Friday, February 18
2 h 30, women’s halfpipe final. From 4:40 a.m., men’s ski cross. 9 h 30, men’s speed skating final. 10 hours, men’s mass-start final: Quentin Fillon Maillet, Émilien Jacquelin, Simon Desthieux, Fabien Claude. From 12:55 p.m. women’s two-man bobsleigh.
