Great Britain’s Lizzy Yarnold won the gold medal, which is the first gold medal for the nation in Sochi, but it was America’s Noelle Pikus-Pace who stole the show. She returned to the Olympics after many personal problems and received the silver in skeleton.
In 2005, she fractured her leg when she was hit by a bobsled and missed the 2006 Olympics. She finished fourth in Whistler four years ago and decided to retire after the 2010 Olympics to be a stay-at-home mom to her two children. She missed the bronze medal by only one-tenth of a second. After the Olympics she suffered a miscarriage and wanted to compete again.
She knew this meant time away from her family since she would compete in Europe and after a few years she brought them with her. They spent the last two years traveling Europe to train for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. She wanted to leave the sport in style.
“Passion isn’t something you can force yourself to have. It’s not something you can exercise to develop. You either have or don’t have,” she said. “The light switch was back on.
“I know that I’m good enough without medal. Come what may, I’ll be happy with my result because I know I’ll do the best I can. My intention is to get a medal. I’m not going just to be an Olympian. I’ve been there, done that. Now, it’s time with my husband and my kids by side with a sled by husband built. We’re getting it done.”
The entire family witnessed her win the silver medal.
Yarnold’s gold is the second straight gold for Great Britain in the event and Russia’s Elena Nikitina won the bronze.
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