As the 2010 Winter Olympics approaches, there are certain figure skaters that ice skating fans should especially pay attention to. These skaters may become the 2010 Olympic Figure Skating Champions or medalists.
Ladies Who May Win the 2010 Olympic Figure Skating Title
Women's figure skating is the most popular figure skating event at the Winter Olympics.
Kim Yu-Na is the 2009 World Figure Skating Champion and the 2009 Four Continents champion. She may be the favorite. Others to watch include 2006 Olympic Silver Medalist, Sasha Cohen, (who has returned to competitive skating after a three year absence), 2008 World Figure Skating Champion Mao Asada, 2007 World Figure Skating Champion Miki Ando, and 2009 World Silver Medalist Joannie Rochette.
Men Who May Win the 2010 Olympic Figure Skating Title
2006 Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko has announced that he is returning to competitive figure skating. 2009 World Figure Skating Champion and US figure skater, Evan Lysacek, may be U.S.'s best bet to win the 2010 Olympic Figure Skating title, but 2007 World Figure Skating Bronze Medalist and 2004, 2005 and 2006 U.S. National Men's Figure Skating Champion, Johnny Weir, is also worth watching. Patrick Chan of Canada, surprised some by winning the silver medal at the 2009 World Figure Skating Championships. Another skater to keep an eye on is 2007 World Figure Skating Champion, Brian Joubert.
Pair Skaters Who May Win the 2010 Olympic Figure Skating Title
2009 world pair skating champions, Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy, of Germany are a powerful pair. Also, 2006 Olympic bronze medalists and three time world pair skating champions, Xue Shen and Hongbo Zhao, of China, have announced their return to the competitive skating scene. Shen and Zhao excel in artistry. 2006 Olympic silver medalists Dan Zhang and Hao Zhang, also of China, are a powerful team and are known for the athletic twists lifts and speed. Another team from China, Qing Pang and Jian Tong, could also win in Vancouver.
Ice Dancers Who May Win the 2010 Olympic Figure Skating Title
Most Americans would love to see 2006 Olympic Silver Medalists and 2009 World Figure Skating Silver Medalists, Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto, win gold in Vancouver; however, many believe 2009 World Ice Dance Champions Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin of Russia will take the gold. 2009 U.S. Ice Dance Champions, Meryl Davis and Charlie White and Canadian Ice Dance Champions, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, are also in medal contention. 2008 world ice dancing champons, Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder, of France, did not compete in 2009, but will be back in time to compete in Vancouver in 2010.
