U.S. boosts gold medal tally at Winter Games, led by athletes from handful of states

"In the end it turned out to be a Winter Olympics for the record books. U.S. athletes arrived in Italy facing protests and questions about their nation's politics. In early competition, some of the biggest U.S. stars stumbled in dramatic fashion on the snow and ice. But when the spotlight shifted to the closing ceremony in Verona, the U.S. had scooped up 12 gold medals its best tally ever in a Winter Games with 33 medals overall. That trails only winter sport superpower Norway."

"Some U.S. states punched above their weight One notable thing about the strong medal harvest is that it came despite the fact that winter sport remains a regional tradition in the U.S. The U.S. sent its largest roster of athletes ever, 232 men and women, to these Winter Games, but 18 states sent no Olympians at all. Even some states where winters are long, like Nebraska, Nevada and South Dakota, sent no competitors. That's according to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee's official tally of athletes and their "recognized home towns." It's important to note elite athletes are often mobile, living and training in a variety of places. Also, athletes from a variety of states contributed to team medal wins."

The United States finished the Winter Olympics with a record 12 gold medals and 33 total medals, trailing only Norway. U.S. athletes faced protests and questions about national politics and some early high-profile setbacks on snow and ice. Strong performances from stars such as Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin and speed skater Jordan Stolz, plus team successes in figure skating and both men's and women's hockey, powered the medal haul. Elena Meyers Taylor won gold in the monobob. The U.S. sent a record 232 athletes, though 18 states had no Olympians, reflecting regional concentration and athlete mobility.

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