Team USA grant special exemption to Winter Olympic athletes majority don’t get
Team USA are providing a unique exemption for their athletes at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics which not many other nations offer.
The US have an extremely strong presence in Italy for the showpiece and are currently third in the medal table at the time of writing, with only the hosts and Norway ahead of them.
They have 19 medals, made up of six golds, eight silver and five bronze in various events and disciplines.
So much is made of the Olympic village and the craziness that comes with it and it was recently reported that there had been a shortage of condoms.
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10,000 condoms have reportedly been used, with IOC spokesperson Mark Adams commenting that "Valentine's Day is in full swing at the village" as he joked, "faster, higher, stronger, together".
However, it's emerged that USA are allowing all of their athletes to remain in the village for the duration of the competition even when they are not competing and also foot the bill.
Sophia Kirkby, who made history by competing in the first ever women's doubles luge and came fifth, told the New York Post that intends to make the most of the opportunity.
“I’m fortunate that I’m one of the countries that gets to stay in the Olympic Village," Kirkby said.
"The majority of my competitors I saw leave today, but fortunately for me, Team USA is one of the few countries that pays a premium for us to be here the entire time,” she explained.
“So I’m just gonna have fun. It’s my vacation time.”
Kirkby, who went on a date with a fan who slid into her DMs and flew to Milan, added: “Unfortunately, I’m in a very small village. It consists of luge and I already know all those people. Most of them have girlfriends, they’re married, they’re dating,”
According to Sportsnet , "most men’s and women’s hockey teams" and those from the skating events are "bunking together in residence-style housing at athletes’ village", where there is a dining hall, common areas and plenty of card games.
The American men's squad switched things up by going for the college-like approach for the full two weeks even though there was the option for a hotel.
Meanwhile, their Canadian counterparts are pulling double duty and trying out both.
American ice hockey center Jack Eichel called it a "really cool experience" that "brings me back to what it’s like in college".
He added that the closeness "just brings the guys together.”
The Winter Olympics runs until 22 February, when the closing ceremony takes place.
Josh Lawless