Extreme Medal Makeover

Not that long ago, the U.S. stank at the Winter Olympics. At the 1988 Calgary Games, on North American soil no less, the U.S. won just two gold medals.

In Sochi, Team USA matched that number in one weekend. A pair of totally stoked snowboarders, Sage Kotsenburg and Jamie Anderson, each won the inaugural slopestyle snowboarding event, in which athletes navigate a downhill obstacle course while sliding on rails and corkscrewing off jumps.

Consider it the result of institutional interests aligning. The International Olympic Committee covets younger fans, and NBC, which is paying the IOC $775 million to broadcast the Sochi...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!