9 moments that resonated at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics
The 2022 Beijing Winter Games will likely be remembered for being yet another "COVID Olympics."
Similar to the Summer Games only six months ago, athletes, staff and journalists were required to stay in a closed "bubble," cut off from the local population over fears of spreading the disease. Athletes performed before an audience on television with few fans in attendance.
Still, there was much more to the Winter Games than the cloud of the ongoing pandemic.
NPR's team in Beijing put together moments and storylines that stuck out — including those that showed immense inner strength, athleticism and grace.
Skier Mikaela Shiffrin faces failure with grace
It wasn't a gold-medal winning moment by U.S. Alpine star Mikaela Shiffrin that put her on the top of the list. Rather, it's the way the Olympian failed — and responded to her unusual struggles on the slopes.
Shiffrin is a bona fide star — despite what internet trolls have been saying about the 26-year-old. She has won more World Cup slalom races than anyone in history, woman or man. She came into these Games already having won three Olympic medals, including two gold.
Asked about the pressure of coming into the Games as one of those few athletes expected to win medals, Shiffrin said she
