Olympics

Miracle is one of the most compelling sports stories in recent history. And though historical context has elevated the 1980 US men’s hockey team to legendary status, every Olympics is filled with similarly-compelling stories. The Vancouver Games are no exception.

Now competing in her fourth Olympic Winter Games at the age of 30, Jennifer L. Botterill ’02-’03 will forever be a legend of the women’s ice hockey program at Harvard—although her chance at a fourth medal is only one among many impressive career accomplishments.

Hockey was a natural choice for Vaillancourt. Her father and brother both play, and her early commitment to the sport paid off. By age 18, after a decorated varsity career at Pomfret Prep School, she was already wearing her own Team Canada jersey to compete in the 2003 Nations Cup.

Daniel J. Weinstein ’03-’04 skated his way into college. Weinistein was a U.S. national speed-skating champion who competed in the short track speed skating portion of the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.

Chu, the first Asian American woman to play for the U.S. Olympic ice hockey team, is now making her third Olympic appearance in Vancouver.

It wasn’t always obvious that Caitlin K. Cahow ’07-’08 would go to the Olympics. But she’s competing in her second Olympic games in Vancouver, playing defense for the American women’s ice hockey team after taking home the bronze in Torino four years ago.

Angela M. Ruggiero ’02-’04 has medalled in three previous Winter Olympics, worked in commercial real estate, written an autobiography, been fired by Donald Trump on the television show “The Apprentice,” and later turned down a subsequent job offer from Trump.

No one expected American figure skater Paul S. Wylie ’90-91 to snag a silver medal at the 1992 Olympics in Albertville, France.

For most athletes, the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games is the crowning moment of their careers—the stuff of dreams for trainees who spend years toiling on the rinks or fields.