Keegan Messing pumps his fist after receiving his gold medal at the National Skating Championships, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022 in Ottawa.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press
Figure skating: Canadian figure skater Keegan Messing is en route to Beijing for the Winter Olympics after being in COVID-19 limbo.The reigning Canadian champion had been stuck in Vancouver since testing positive for COVID-19. He has already missed out on skating in the team event, but is expected to make it in time to skate in his individual event.
Curling: Sweden boosted their chances of advancing to the curling mixed doubles semi-finals with a 6-1 victory over Switzerland. Meanwhile, Canada’s defence of its mixed doubles curling gold medal is looking a lot more promising: Canada’s tandem of John Morris and Rachel Homan picked up a pair of wins Friday to move into a tie with Britain for second place in the round-robin standings at 3-1.
Snowboarding: Canadians Laurie Blouin, Jasmine Baird, and Brooke Voigt will compete tonight in the qualification round of women’s slopestyle – looking for a spot in tomorrow’s final.
Opening day: The Beijing Winter Olympics officially began Friday with a surprisingly short, albeit technically spectacular, opening ceremony in the Bird’s Nest, the iconic stadium that also hosted the start of the 2008 Summer Games. That performance remains one of the most memorable of recent Olympics. This one though, as Cathal Kelly opines, was a disappointment.
Off the field
Olympic COVID-19 cases: China has detected 45 new cases of COVID-19 among Olympic Games related personnel on Feb. 4, up from 21 a day earlier, the organizing committee of the Beijing 2022 Winter Games said. Of the total infections, 26 were among new airport arrivals, including 20 athletes or team officials.
Russia, friend and foe: One of the highest-profile visitors to Friday’s opening ceremony is Russian President Vladimir Putin, the first world leader to meet with China’s President Xi Jinping in more than two years. As for athletes from Russia and Ukraine – countries in a tense military standoff at their Eastern European border – athletes formed a fragile peace in Beijing, aided by COVID-19 restrictions meant to keep competitors apart.
North Korea: North Korea isn’t sending any athletes and officials to the the 2022 Winter Olympics despite China being its main ally and neighbour. The country again finds itself on the world stage, this time it is because of belligerence, not charm, in the shape of a fast-paced string of increasingly powerful missile tests.
Ai Weiwei: Dissident Chinese architect Ai Weiwei, one of the designers of the Bird’s Nest stadium, aired criticism of Beijing’s human rights record and response to the pandemic in an interview. He also accused governments of showing too much deference to China for business or political interests.
The day in pictures
Oskar Eriksson of Sweden in action during the Mixed Doubles Round Robin Session 7 against Switzerland on Feb. 4, 2022.ELOISA LOPEZ/Reuters
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Magnus Nedregotten of Norway in action against Australia during curling mixed doubles on Feb. 4, 2022.ELOISA LOPEZ/Reuters
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China's Ling Zhi gets ready to throw a rock during the mixed doubles curling match against Canada on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022.Nariman El-Mofty/The Associated Press
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Czech Republic's Tomas Paul throws a rock during the mixed doubles curling match against Italy on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022.Nariman El-Mofty/The Associated Press
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China's Fan Suyuan, and Ling Zhi react during the mixed doubles curling match against Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022 in Beijing.Nariman El-Mofty/The Associated Press
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Christopher Plys of the United States in action during the Sweden v United States mixed doubles match on February 4, 2022.EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/Reuters
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United States' Dusty Hendricksen trains on the slopestyle course ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022.Francisco Seco/The Associated Press
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Japan's Kokomo Murase trains on the slopestyle course ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022 in Zhangjiakou, China.Francisco Seco/The Associated Press
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Performers dance in a pre-show ahead of the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, on February 4, 2022.JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
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Performers at the pre-show ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing on Friday February 4, 2022.MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP/Getty Images
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Performers during the opening ceremony pre-show at the Bird's Nest in Beijing on Friday February 4, 2022.BRIAN SNYDER/Reuters
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Performers during the pre-show at the opening ceremony in Beijing, China on Friday February 4, 2022.ELOISA LOPEZ/Reuters
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China's President Xi Jinping waves at the audience standing beside his wife Peng Liyuan during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, on February 4, 2022.ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images
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Performers create a flower display with LED lights during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Beijing, China.Adam Pretty/Getty Images
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Performers create a flower display with LED lights during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
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Inside the Bird's Nest stadium during the opening ceremony at the 2022 Winter Olympics Games in Beijing, China.FABRIZIO BENSCH/Reuters
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The flag of the People's Republic of China is passed hand to hand as it enters the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Beijing, China.Adam Pretty/Getty Images
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The flag of the People's Republic of China is raised during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on Friday February 4, 2022.Alex Pantling/Getty Images
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International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach waves at the Opening Ceremony for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.ALEKSANDRA SZMIGIEL/Reuters
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Russia's President Vladimir Putin arrives at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, for the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games on February 4, 2022.CARL COURT/AFP/Getty Images
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Performers dressed as hockey players perform during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 4, 2022 in Beijing, China.Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
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The Olympic Rings are revealed during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, on February 4, 2022.FRANCOIS-XAVIER MARIT/AFP/Getty Images
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Greece flag bearers Apostolos Angelis and Maria Ntanou of carry their flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Beijing, China.David Ramos/Getty Images
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The delegation from Turkey take part in the parade of athletes during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, on February 4, 2022.BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
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Flag bearers Arisa Go and Akito Watabe of Team Japan carry their flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Beijing, China.Adam Pretty/Getty Images
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Fireworks display seen from outside the National Stadium during the opening ceremony in Beijing.LINDSEY WASSON/Reuters
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Team Chinese Taipei flag bearers Ping-Jui Ho and Yu Ting Huang of carry their flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Beijing, China.Adam Pretty/Getty Images
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Flag bearers Edson Luques Bindilatti and Jaqueline Mourao of Team Brazil carry their flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Beijing, China.Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
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Members of Team Canada are seen during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Beijing, China.David Ramos/Getty Images
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Flag bearers Charles Hamelin and Marie-Philip Poulin of Team Canada lead the team during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Beijing, China.Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
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Team Canada during the Parade of Nations at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.David J. Phillip/The Associated Press
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Flag bearers Charles Hamelin and Marie-Philip Poulin of Team Canada carry their flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Beijing, China.Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
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A performer takes part in the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, on February 4, 2022.BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
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Team Ghana flag bearer Carlos Maeder carries their flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Beijing, China.Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
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Denmark's flag bearers Madeleine Dupont(R) and Frans Nielsen parade during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, on February 4, 2022.JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
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Flagbearers Paulina Ramanauskaite and Deividas Kizala of Lithuania during the opening ceremony.JONATHAN ERNST/Reuters
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Team Spain flag bearers Queralt Castellet and Ander Mirambell carry their flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Beijing, China.David Ramos/Getty Images
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Athletes from Ukraine march into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.Natacha Pisarenko/The Associated Press
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Olga Fatkulina and Vadim Shipachyov, of the Russian Olympic Committee, carry a flag into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing.Jae C. Hong/The Associated Press
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Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrives for the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing.Carl Court/The Associated Press
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Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic arrives for the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing.Carl Court/The Associated Press
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Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan (R) looks on during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, on February 4, 2022.ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images
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The delegation from Kazakhstan takes part in the parade of athletes, underneath the Olympics rings, during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, on February 4, 2022.BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
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Flag bearers Elana Meyers Taylor of the United States and John Shuster of the United States lead their delegation during the athletes parade at the opening ceremony.EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA/Reuters
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Kellie Delka and William C. Flaherty, of Puerto Rico carry their national flag into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics on Friday, February 4, 2022 in Beijing.Jae C. Hong/The Associated Press
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Andres Ambuhl and Wendy Holdener, of Switzerland, carry their country's flag during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022 in Beijing.Petr David Josek/The Associated Press
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Karen Chanloung and Nicola Zanon, of Thailand, carry their national flag into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Jae C. Hong/The Associated Press
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Flagbearers Eve Muirhead and Dave Ryding of Great Britain during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Friday, February 4, 2022.JONATHAN ERNST/Reuters
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Team France flag bearers Kevin Rolland and Tessa Worley lead the team during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Beijing, China.Julian Finney/Getty Images
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Members of Team China wave flags during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 4, 2022 in Beijing, China.Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
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Performers hold up snowflakes with the names of participating countries in front of the large Olympic Rings during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on Friday February 4, 2022 in Beijing, China.Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
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Performers hold up snowflakes with the names of participating countries in front of the large Olympic Rings during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium.Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
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International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach before giving a speech during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China on Friday February 4, 2022.ANNEGRET HILSE/Reuters
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View inside the Bird's Nest stadium as fireworks light up the sky during the opening ceremony for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.FABRIZIO BENSCH/Reuters
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A projection display of photos is seen during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Beijing, China.Adam Pretty/Getty Images
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Performers during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.MARKO DJURICA
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Performers during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.DAVID W CERNY/Reuters
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Former athletes carry the Olympic flag during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China.ANNEGRET HILSE/Reuters
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Children sing the Olympic national anthem during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China on Friday February 4, 2022.MARKO DJURICA
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Performers during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.BEN STANSALL/Getty Images
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Bing Dwen Dwen, the Winter Olympics mascot, performs during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Olympics in Beijing on Friday, February 4, 2022.JAMES HILL/The New York Times
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Children perform during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China.MARKO DJURICA/Reuters
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Performers during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, China.THOMAS PETER/Reuters
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Torchbearer holds the Olympic torch during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.EVGENIA NOVOZHENINA/Reuters
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Torch bearers transfer the flame between torches during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the National Stadium.ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images
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The Olympic torch is lit during the opening ceremony officially commencing the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Bird's Nest Stadium.MARKO DJURICA/Reuters
Team Canada captain and Olympic flag bearer Marie-Philip Poulin has delivered big-game goals for Canada’s women’s hockey team in an astonishing string of Olympic and world championship matches. Now the 30-year-old is heading to her fourth Olympics and aims to deliver again.
Canadian flag-bearers Charles Hamelin and Marie-Philip Poulin lead Team Canada into the opening ceremonies to officially start the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games on Friday, February 04, 2022.The Canadian Press
Kripps’s pandemic pivot
Justin Kripps completed dozens of runs down Beijing’s sliding track before he ever got there. The COVID-19 pandemic delaying test events and international training weeks at the new Yanqing Sliding Center for months, the Canadian bobsled pilot regularly strapped on a virtual reality headset to get in his track reps. The Olympic track opened in 2020, but only the Chinese could get on it over the next year because of the pandemic. As their summer counterparts did for Tokyo’s Summer Games delayed from 2020 to 2021, every Canadian athlete heading to Beijing had to pivot and adapt.
Justin Kripps of Canada and team at the Men's 4-Bob World Cup in Switzerland on Jan. 16.Mayk Wendt/Keystone via AP
U.S. leads team figure skating
It was supposed to be a foregone conclusion that Russia’s powerful stable of figure skaters, including world champions in three of the four disciplines, would run away with the team gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. Nathan Chen and the rest of the Americans must have taken exception. The three-time world champ’s winning short program set the tone for Team USA on Friday, and everyone else followed suit.
Nathan Chen, of the United States, competes during the men's singles short program team event in the figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing.David J. Phillip/The Associated Press
