The games have officially begun.
The games have officially begun. Here’s the latest from Friday’s events in PyeongChang.
Even though athletes began competing Thursday, the games officially kicked off on Friday with the Opening Ceremony.
Team USA marched in matching flag-themed Ralph Lauren ensembles, complete with sturdy brown boots and fringed leather gloves.
Leading Team USA was luger Erin Hamlin. Her selection as flag bearer caused a bit of controversy after fellow American athlete Shani Davis tweeted his criticism of the selection process. He and Hamlin were tied in votes for the role, but Hamlin ultimately won a deciding coin toss.
Another noteworthy moment came when everyone’s favorite Tongan flag-bearer, Pita Taufatofua, ditched his shirt and slicked on the coconut oil for a second time despite freezing temps. A photo of shirtless Taufatofua originally went viral during the 2016 Olympics. Read his story here.
Closing out the ceremony in an unlikely show of unity, North and South Korea marched together under the same flag. They carried a blue and white « Unified Korea » flag.
North Korea’s ice hockey player Hwang Chung Gum and South Korea’s bobsledder Won Yun-jong served as flag-bearers.
It was an impressive show of unity for the two countries embroiled in political turmoil.
Sibling duo Becca and Matt Hamilton returned to the ice Friday in their fifth round robin curling game. After winning their very first match to Russia, they fell into a losing streak, suffering defeats to Canada, Switzerland and South Korea.
Friday they lost again to China by a score of 4-6, all but eliminating them from the semifinals.
They’ll still play two games against Norway and Finland this weekend.
Seventeen-year-old Red Gerard made his Olympic debut in men’s slopestyle snowboarding and was the only American to make the finals. Americans Chris Corning, Ryan Stassel and Kyle Mack missed the cut.
Stay with us for continued coverage throughout the Olympic Games.
