Americans Guaranteed Of Record-Tying 36 Medals

Posted by Ralph Routon

With two more medals Friday night in short-track speedskating, the United States is poised to break national and global records this weekend at the close of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

The official U.S. total is now at 34 medals (eight gold, 13 silver, 13 bronze), with Germany at 27 and Canada now at 21, ahead of Norway’s 20.

But the Americans guaranteed themselves Friday of two more medals by making the finals, and assuring themselves of at least silver, in men’s hockey and the men’s team pursuit in long-track speedskating.

Those two medals mean at least 36 for the United States, beating the previous U.S. best at any Winter Games of 34 in 2002 at Salt Lake City. The 36 also ties for the most medals by any nation at a Winter Games, matching Germany’s 36, also in 2002.

And the American total still could rise, with the U.S. leading halfway through the four-man bobsled, in the semifinals of women’s team pursuit of long-track speedskating, and with Bode Miller going in the men’s slalom race today to end the Alpine skiing.