"Olympic figure skating kicks off Friday with the team competition, in which the U.S. is heavily favored to hold off rival Japan and defend its gold medal from 2022. The team event is relatively new, making its debut in the 2014 Sochi Games. It pits the world's 10 top-ranked countries against each other, via representatives in each of the four skating disciplines: men's, women's, pairs and ice dance."
"Countries get points (1-10) depending on how they score in the first two events (short program and rhythm dance), and the top five move on to the final round (free skate and free dance). The main battle to watch is between the U.S. and Japan, who finished as the top two in 2022 after Russia was disqualified over a doping case involving one of its skaters."
Olympic figure skating begins with the team competition, featuring the world's top 10 countries competing across men's, women's, pairs and ice dance. Teams earn points (1-10) from short programs and rhythm dance, and the top five advance to free skate and free dance finals. The U.S. is heavily favored to defend its 2022 gold, with Japan expected to be the main rival. Russia remains banned, leaving the bronze medal open to contenders such as Canada and Georgia. Countries must strategize athlete selection since team competitors also skate in individual events, balancing physical and mental health.
Read at www.npr.org
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