Winter Olympics 2014: the stars of Sochi - in pictures

Shaun White, USA: The reigning king of snowboarding Shaun White, once known as "The Flying Tomato," may have cut off his iconic long red locks but his powers remain undiminished. The 27-year-old has a remarkable 13 Winter X Games gold medals and two more from the summer version of the X Games, where he competes as a skateboarder. White won Olympic halfpipe gold in 2006 and 2010 and will defend his title this year. However, he pulled out of the new slopestyle competition days before the Games began over safety fears about the course.

Yuna Kim, South Korea

Tina Maze, Slovenia

Sara Takenashi, Japan

Anna Sidorova, Russia

Alex Ovechkin, Russia

Marit Bjoergen, Norway

Felix Loch, Germany

Arianna Fontana, Italy:

Lolo Jones, US
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Fed leaves rates unchanged as Powell warns on tariffs
speed read The Federal Reserve says the risks of higher inflation and unemployment are increasing under Trump's tariffs
-
'The program long ago ceased to be temporary help'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Denmark to grill US envoy on Greenland spying report
speed read The Trump administration ramped up spying on Greenland, says reporting by The Wall Street Journal
-
The 'secretive and strange' battle for the most powerful role in sport
Under The Radar Sebastian Coe among the contenders as the International Olympic Committee gathers to choose its next president
-
And the gold goes to the wackiest events of Olympics past
The Explainer Prior games have included contests like pigeon shooting and hot air ballooning
-
Salt Lake City named host of 2034 Winter Olympics
Speed Read The Winter Games are returning to the US for the first time in 32 years
-
Winter Olympics: ‘disaster averted’ for Team GB as curling stars win medals
feature Team GB finished a disappointing games with just two medals
-
Kamila Valieva: tears, outrage and a distressing conclusion at the Winter Olympics
In the Spotlight After the doping scandal, Russia’s 15-year-old skating prodigy crumbled in her final event
-
Winter Olympics: 3,000 snowflakes and a Uyghur skier
In the Spotlight For both winners and losers alike, an air of unreality hangs over these games
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
-
A guide to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
In Depth Everything you need to know about the winter games