Olympic Drama: Why Shani Davis Skipped the Opening Ceremony
The 2018 Winter Olympics are officially underway after the opening ceremony Friday. The big story so far for the American team: the controversy over the flag bearer.
World-renowned luger Erin Hamlin was chosen to carry the U.S. flag after a coin toss broke the tie between her and speed skater Shani Davis. The eight U.S. winter sport federations voted 4-4 for Hamlin and Davis. After the coin toss result was announced, Davis took to Twitter saying it was "dishonorable."
Davis did not attend the Opening Ceremony. Matt Foley, sports reporter at OZY, explains that Davis was not originally planning to attend due to training conflicts but said he would make an exception if he was chosen as flag bearer.
NHL players will be allowed to use Pride tape this season after all with the reversal of a ban that sparked a backlash around hockey and among LGBTQ+ advocates in sports.
The NBA’s 78th season starts Tuesday, with a ring ceremony in Denver — the traditional celebration of the reigning champions — highlighting the opening-night celebration. The Nuggets beat Miami last June to become the league’s fifth different champion in the last five years, a run of parity the likes of which the league hasn’t seen in more than 40 years.
The Las Vegas Aces became the first team in 21 years to win back-to-back WNBA championships, getting 24 points and 16 rebounds from A’ja Wilson and a defensive stop in the closing seconds to beat the New York Liberty 70-69 in Game 4 of the Finals.
