Feb 23, 2018 - Sports

The U.S. medal haul in Pyeongchang will fall short of target

Axios

The United States' Mikaela Shiffrin poses on the podium during the victory ceremony for the women's Giant Slalom. Photo: Martin Bernetti / AFP / Getty Images

Leaders at the U.S. Olympic Committee projected Team USA would win 37 medals at the Pyeongchang Games — a goal the U.S. will not come close to reaching when the Olympics close on Sunday, AP's Eddie Pells reports.

The bottom line: The U.S. dipped to 28 medals in 2014, and the AP projects a finish of 23 this year. Reflected as a percentage of medals won — the number available has steadily grown with the addition of more action sports, among others, to the program — the U.S. took 14.3 percent in 2010, 9.6 percent in 2014 and will be at 7.5 percent this year if it closes with 23.

AP obtained a slide that was presented to the USOC board in meetings last year, and used to set expectations and funding levels for the Winter Games.
Heading into the final 48 hours of action, the United States had 21 medals. Even if things were to go well over the handful of remaining events, the team will fall more than 10 medals short of the goal.
Alan Ashley, the USOC's chief of sport performance, says another way to view it is the number of close calls: 21 U.S. teams or athletes finished fourth or fifth.

Add Axios on Google

The U.S. medal haul in Pyeongchang will fall short of target

What to read next