2018 Winter Olympics: American athletes to watch in the upcoming games
Jamie Anderson, snowboarding — Anderson took home gold in the first Olympic slopestyle competition in 2014, beating out Enni Rukajarvi of Finland and Jenny Jones of Great Britain for the victory. But Anderson isn't a stranger to the podium — she's medaled in 11 of the 12 slopestyle competitions in the X Games, earning four gold medals. She'll be a heavy favorite in Pyeongchang. (Getty Images)Harry How
Nathan Chen, figure skating — At just 18 years old, Nathan Chen is a rising star on Team USA. Since busting on the scene as a junior in 2013, Chen has earned three major gold medals in international tournaments. Though 2018 will be Chen's first Olmypic appearance, it could mark the beginning of a dynasty for US figure skating. (Getty Images)Ezra Shaw
Kelly Clark, snowboarding — One of the most decorated snowboarders in American history, Clark has medaled three times since the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake, when she earned gold. But after three Olympics with no golds, Clark is looking to get back on top of the medal stand. She'll first need to qualify for the team, but if she does compete in her fifth straight Olympics she'll be the team's seasoned veteran. (Getty Images)S. Levin
Shani Davis, long track speedskating — The 35-year-old Davis recently qualified for his fifth straight Olympic Games. In his lengthy career, Davis has taken home two gold and two silver medals — but it hasn't come without controversy. Davis has often been labeled as aloof or a bad teammate. Despite the criticism, Davis has been a groundbreaker, becoming the first black man to win a gold medal for the Americans in an individual Winter Olympic sport. (Getty Images)Matthew Stockman
Brian Gionta, men's hockey — When the NHL announced in 2017 that it would not make its players available for the 2018 Olympics, many hockey players were understanably disappointed. But few players were more disappointed than Gionta, who played for the American in the 2006 Olympics in Turin, Italy. The 38-year-old Gionta was an in-demand free agent following a productive 2016-17 NHL season with the Buffalo Sabres, but he chose not to sign with a team and instead play in the Olympics. He'll be the captain for the American team this year in Pyeongchang. (Getty Images)Claus Andersen
Women's Hockey Team — The Americans were literally inches from clinching a gold medal in 2014. However, a full-ice empty net shot went just wide, and Canada wound up scoring two goals in the final four minutes before clinching their fourth straight gold in overtime. This year, key players Brianna Decker and Meghan Duggan will try and revenge their disappointing finish in 2014 and defeat Canada for their first-ever gold medal. (Getty Images) Doug Pensinger
Lindsey Vonn, skiing — It was a rough start to the season for Vonn, after a crash in which she suffered a lower back injury. However, she quickly recovered and earned first win of the season with a first-place finish in the super-G at the World Cup in France. She also turned heads in late 2017, when she said she wouldn't be reprsenting President Trump in Pyeongchang. Despite the controversy, Vonn remains one of the United States' most decorated skiiers with five total gold medals. (Getty Images)Alain Grosclaude/Agence Zoom
Shaun White, snowboarding — After a disappointing 2014 run at the Sochi Games that saw him return to America medal-less, the "Flying Tomato" is looking for redemption in 2018. He suffered a setback in October, when he smashed his face on the side of a halfpipe while training, leaving a gash on his face that required 62 stitches. He'll face stiff competition in qualifying and on the Olympic field, but White has shown the potential in the past to make the medal stand. (Getty Images)Cameron Spencer