Montanans go for Olympic gold

The powder is fresh, the ice is silky smooth, the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing China are just one week away and Montana has athletes ready to hit the international stage. After an unusually tight window between the Summer and Winter Olympics, there’s much to look forward to for the 2022 Games. For the first time since 1968, every individual gold medalist is returning to compete in the 24th Winter Olympiad. This includes freestyle skier David Wise, alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin, and snowboarders Jamie Anderson, Chloe Kim, Red Gerard and Shaun White. 

Though Montana does not have any major league sports teams, there are four Montana natives participating in the Games this year. This adds a whole new level of excitement for Team USA and the state as a whole.

Darian Stevens, born and raised in Missoula, will be participating in the Slopestyle/Big Air event this year. Both of these events are freeskiing events. A freeskiing event is a combination of alpine skiing and tricks involving rails and other features to change normal alpine terrain. The 25-year-old also represented Montana and the United States in South Korea in 2018. To Stevens, the road to this year's Games in Beijing was a tough one. Via her Instagram, Stevens shared her how she preparaed for this years Olympics and her road to recovery. “To be completely honest though, the past 4 years have absolutely been the hardest of my career,” Stevens wrote.“I have dealt with multiple surgeries and injuries even recently that could have ended my career and chances at the Olympics, but I was determined to keep fighting.”

Maggie Voisin, originally from Whitefish, will also be competing in the Slopestyle/Big Air event. In 2014, Voisin qualified for the Olympic Games, however, a broken ankle injured in a practice run forced her to pull out of the competition. Voisin was the youngest qualifier for Team USA prior to her injury in 2014. Four years later, Voisin got her chance and placed fourth. Voisin has also competed in the World Cup and in the X Games from 2015-2017.

Two-time Olympian Bradley Wilson will also be participating in freestyle skiing this year as he competes alongside the mogul team. Mogul is a timed freestyle skiing event where skiers continue down a steep incline with bumps along the course, requiring intense control of the skis and their body. Wilson is originally from Butte. “I just want to say thank you to everyone in this sport. I love you all! Going to my third Olympic Games to represent the United States of America! Can’t believe it,” Wilson announced via his Instagram as the official Team USA roster was announced.

Team USA includes hockey player Jake Sanderson, also from Whitefish. After the NHL announced it was withdrawing players for the 2022 Olympic Games, Team USA opened up to college players, including Sanderson. Only 19 years old, Sanderson felt bad about leaving his North Dakota team, but was met with support as he agreed to attend the Games. “It’s kind of something you can’t really pass up. It’s the Olympics. You don’t know if you’ll ever be able to play in the Olympics in your lifetime.” Sanderson said in an interview with TSN Radio. This is Sanderson’s first Olympics. 

As the Beijing Games get underway on Friday, Feb. 4, the United States and Montana both have a lot to look forward to. A team filled with previous gold medalists, many athletes returning for another shot at a gold and some first time Olympians give Team USA members a chance to come home with some hardware.