U.S. Figure Skating Announces Olympic Team

At a noon press conference today, U.S. Figure Skating announced the athletes who will compete in ladies, pairs and ice dance at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.  All U.S. Olympic team nominations are subject to approval by the United States Olympic Committee. 

Representing Team USA in ice dancing are Meryl Davis & Charlie White, the defending Olympic silver medalists, Madison Chock & Evan Bates and siblings Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani. 

“We are so lucky to be part of such an amazing team,” White said.  “Obviously, we’re going into these Games with very high expectations. We’ve had a lot of great momentum over the last four years since the 2010 Olympics and we think we’ve put ourselves in a great position to bring home a gold medal. That’s what we’re going to try to do.”

Evan Bates returns to the Olympic team with Madison Chock after competing in 2010 in Vancouver with Emily Samuelson.  This is Chock’s first trip to the Olympics.

“I’m so over the moon and completely thrilled,” Chock said.  “This has been a lifelong dream. We’re so happy and we couldn’t be in better company. We’re just so thrilled.”

Alex Shibutani reflected on his ten year ice dancing career with sister, Maia.

“This has been the craziest, most amazing journey,” Alex said.  “Ten years ago we started in this sport. Ice dance is a crazy sport, it’s a crazy life, but moments like this you don’t really prepare for, you only dream of. I’m just so happy that we’re here together and I wouldn’t be here with anyone else.
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Alternates to the U.S. Olympic team for ice dancing include Madison Hubbell & Zach Donohue (first alternates), Alexandra Aldridge & Daniel Eaton (second alternates) and Lynn Kriengkrairut & Logan Giulietti-Schmitt (third alternates).