Day 13 of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

By Aditi Sangal, Jessie Yeung, Adam Renton, Ben Morse, Matias Grez, Jack Bantock and Patrick Sung, CNN

Updated 9:18 PM ET, Thu February 17, 2022
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4:30 p.m. ET, February 17, 2022

In Beijing while you slept: Russian skater falls, Canada's hockey redemption, Shiffrin's ongoing nightmare

From CNN's Jason Kurtz

Thursday marked another action-packed day at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. For those sleeping during the competitive events — which occurred during late night or early morning hours for many US viewers— here is a tidy recap.

⛸ Russian teen embroiled in doping controversy finished in fourth place

Russian teen figure skater Kamila Valieva suffered several falls during her free skate routine, resulting in a fourth-place finish in Beijing. Valieva's struggles mean that there will in fact be a medal ceremony in the event — one headlined her fellow Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) team members, Anna Shcherbakova and Alexandra Trusova, who finished first and second respectively. Japanese skater Kaori Sakamoto earned the bronze.

Valieva has been at the center of controversy as a positive December drug test cast doubt on whether she'd be permitted to compete. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) cleared her to compete on Monday. The IOC, however, had announced that if Valieva earned a podium position, the Games would not hold a medal ceremony. That awkward reality never came to pass.

Amid chants of "Kamila, Kamila, Kamila" ringing through the venue, the Russian left the rink with tears in her eyes, wrapping up an emotional and incredibly trying Olympic experience.

🏒 Canada bests USA in women's hockey, avenges 2018 heartbreak

Canada defeated Team USA 3-2 in the women's hockey gold medal match, the latest edition of the heated rivalry between the two North American neighbors.

Since the inception of the Olympic event 1998, either Canada or the US has taken home the top prize. This time around it's Canada — who skated to an early 3-0 lead — earning gold, in the process avenging Team USA's penalty shootout victory in PyeongChang four years ago.

Team USA took gold in '98, then two decades later in '18. Canada, meanwhile, won in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and now, in 2022.

⛷ Mikaela Shiffrin falls again, suffers third Beijing DNF

Mikaela Shiffrin's Olympic nightmare continues in Beijing as the US skier crashed out once again, this time in the alpine combined slalom. The American favorite has suffered falls in three of her Olympic events — the giant slalom, the slalom, and now, the alpine combined slalom — resulting in a trio of DNF's (did not finish.)

"I think that I actually had a really good start and got into my tempo, my rhythm, quite well," Shiffrin said following Thursday's event.

Shiffrin was hoping to earn multiple medals in Beijing after taking a gold each in 2014 and 2018. She has one final event still to come, Saturday's mixed team parallel slalom competition.

4:27 p.m. ET, February 17, 2022

Beyond the figure skating headlines: Here's a look at who won gold medals on Thursday in Beijing

From CNN's Homero DeLaFuente

Players from Canada's women's hockey team celebrate with their gold medals after defeating the United States on February 17.
Players from Canada's women's hockey team celebrate with their gold medals after defeating the United States on February 17. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The headlines were dominated by the dramatic women's singles free skate event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, but there were six gold medals at stake on Thursday. Here's a look at who won.

Alpine Skiing: Switzerland's Michelle Gisin won the women’s alpine combined slalom.

Figure Skating: Russian Olympic Committee's Anna Shcherbakova captured the gold at the women’s single skating event.

Freestyle Skiing: Sweden's Sandra Naeslund took the top podium spot at the women's ski cross big event.

Ice Hockey: The sport concluded its course at Beijing with Canada women's win.

Nordic Combined: Norway won the team gundersen large hill/4x5km, cross-country event.

Speed Skating: Japan's Miho Takagi won the women's 1000m event.

Here's where the official Olympic medal count stands so far.

2:31 p.m. ET, February 17, 2022

Some of the best photos from day 13 of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games

Here's a look at the best photos from day 13 of the Winter Games:

Figure skater Kamila Valieva falls during her free skate on Thursday, February 17. Valieva, who has been at the center of a doping controversy at the Beijing Winter Olympics, fell multiple times during her free skate Thursday and finished fourth in the women's singles competition.
Figure skater Kamila Valieva falls during her free skate on Thursday, February 17. Valieva, who has been at the center of a doping controversy at the Beijing Winter Olympics, fell multiple times during her free skate Thursday and finished fourth in the women's singles competition. (Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty Images)

The Canadian women's hockey team celebrates after defeating the United States 3-2 in the gold-medal game on February 17. Since women's hockey became an Olympic sport in 1998, only Canada and the United States have won gold. The two countries have played in the gold-medal game in the last four Olympics, with Canada winning three of them.
The Canadian women's hockey team celebrates after defeating the United States 3-2 in the gold-medal game on February 17. Since women's hockey became an Olympic sport in 1998, only Canada and the United States have won gold. The two countries have played in the gold-medal game in the last four Olympics, with Canada winning three of them. (Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images)

Finland's Jon Sallinen crashes into a cameraman during halfpipe qualification on February 17. Both Sallinen and the cameraman — as well as the video footage — were fine. However, as a result of the crash, Sallinen ended up in last place.
Finland's Jon Sallinen crashes into a cameraman during halfpipe qualification on February 17. Both Sallinen and the cameraman — as well as the video footage — were fine. However, as a result of the crash, Sallinen ended up in last place. (Clive Rose/Getty Images)

American skier Mikaela Shiffrin reacts after falling in the slalom portion of the combined event on February 17. It's the third event of these Olympics that Shiffrin has been unable to finish. She also fell in the giant slalom and missed a gate in the standalone slalom event.
American skier Mikaela Shiffrin reacts after falling in the slalom portion of the combined event on February 17. It's the third event of these Olympics that Shiffrin has been unable to finish. She also fell in the giant slalom and missed a gate in the standalone slalom event. (Luca Bruno/AP)

Swiss skier Michelle Gisin competes in the downhill portion of the combined event, which she won for the second straight Olympics. Gisin was twelfth after the downhill but dominated in the slalom to move into first.
Swiss skier Michelle Gisin competes in the downhill portion of the combined event, which she won for the second straight Olympics. Gisin was twelfth after the downhill but dominated in the slalom to move into first. (Alexis Boichard/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)

Take a look back at the best photos from the Olympics so far.

1:27 p.m. ET, February 17, 2022

The US figure skaters striving to be their “true selves” in a sport that often carries stereotypes

From CNN's George Ramsay and Nina Avramova

CNN Illustrations / Getty Images
CNN Illustrations / Getty Images

Ashley Cain-Gribble and Timothy LeDuc are preparing to compete in their first Winter Olympics – the pinnacle of their eventful, and often challenging, figure skating careers.

LeDuc left professional skating for two years in 2014 and spent time working on a cruise ship, while Cain-Gribble was ready to retire from skating before switching from singles to pairs with LeDuc in 2016.

At times, both have found themselves at odds with skating’s norms: Cain-Gribble because of her physique (at five-foot-six she is taller than most women competing in pairs skating) and LeDuc, who identifies as gay and nonbinary, because of their sexuality.

"For a long time, Timothy and I didn't see ourselves represented, and so we didn't quite feel like we belonged," Cain-Gribble told CNN ahead of the Games.

"And for a long time, people had things to say about us. Even when we teamed up, they had a lot of things to say about my body or about Timothy's sexuality. People still will make those comments."

But together, the pair have forged what Cain-Gribbe calls “a very inclusive environment,” veering away from some of figure skating’s long-standing traditions in order to be their “true selves.”

That involves performing a lot of the same moves in their routines, wearing the same colors and patterns and choosing not to portray romantic stories.

"There's nothing inherently wrong with those stories, but often they're centralized and seen as the only narratives that you can portray, the only story that's worthy of being a champion or being successful,” LeDuc told CNN.

"Ashley and I are just different in that way; we've never done a romantic story and we've never been a romantic pair. We've always been about equality and showing two amazing athletes coming together to create something beautiful."

Having won the US national title last month, Cain-Gribble and LeDuc – who is set to become the first out, nonbinary athlete to compete at the Winter Olympics, according to Team USA – will compete in the pairs competition in Beijing when it gets underway on February 18.

Hear more from Cain-Gribble and LeDuc in the video below:

12:44 p.m. ET, February 17, 2022

US skier Mikaela Shiffrin calls out critics following three failed events at 2022 Winter Olympics

From CNN's Homero DeLaFuente

US alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin reacts after she did not finish the alpine combined slalom event on February 17.
US alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin reacts after she did not finish the alpine combined slalom event on February 17. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images)

US alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin posted several screenshots on her Instagram account in what appears to be her calling out critics following another disappointing outing at the Beijing Olympics.

Shiffrin registered her third did-not-finish (DNF) at the Games after falling during the alpine combined event.

On Thursday, the 26-year-old published five posts on her Instagram Stories with the first four showing words and phrases written in text filled with harsh criticism, including “choker,” “Can’t handle the pressure," “Arrogant,” and “Disgrace. Unacceptable.” 

Shiffrin concluded with a fifth post that offered encouragement, writing in part, “Well kids…feed ‘em what you wanna feed em. Self pity, sadness… Let the turkey’s (sic) get you down. There will always be turkeys. Or get up, again. Again. Again. Again. Again. Again. Again. Get up because you can, because you like what you do when its (sic) not infested with the people who have so much apparent hate for you. Just get up."

“It’s not always easy, but it’s also not the end of the world to fail," she added. "Why do I keep coming back? Gosh knows it hurts more than it feels good lately. I come back because those first 9 turns today were spectacular, really heaven. That’s where I’m meant to be and I’m stubborn as S**t. So let’s go for some team event training tomorrow, and then the final alpine race of this Olympics on Saturday,” concluded the three-time Olympic medalist. 

Shiffrin will have one more shot at a medal as she is scheduled to compete in the mixed team parallel slalom competition on Saturday.

11:17 a.m. ET, February 17, 2022

Russian figure skater Alexandra Trusova gave ROC a 1-2 finish but she's "not happy" with her silver

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

Russian figure skater Alexandra Trusova looks on during the flower ceremony following the women's free skate program.
Russian figure skater Alexandra Trusova looks on during the flower ceremony following the women's free skate program. (Valery Sharifulin/TASS/Getty Images)

Russian figure skater Alexandra Trusova's silver medal gave the Russian Olympic Committee a 1-2 podium finish — her teammate Anna Shcherbakova won gold — but she is "not happy" with the result, she said in her comments after Thursday's free skate program.

I am not happy with the result. There is no happiness," she said. "I am happy with my performances. I did everything that I could."

She added: "Everything was enough for me. I did everything. And after, it is out of my hands."

Her earlier reaction to the results was caught on camera, and she said she would never skate again, according to the 2022 Beijing Games media website. When asked about that, she said: "We'll see."

She was also seen crying after learning she had taken the silver medal. The 17-year-old said it was "just because."

"I wanted to cry, so I cried. I've been here for two weeks, alone without my mom, without the dogs, so I am crying."

11:01 a.m. ET, February 17, 2022

"I cannot fully understand it," ROC's Anna Shcherbakova says Olympic glory still hasn't sunk in

From CNN's Matias Grez

ROC's Anna Shcherbakova performs her free skating routine on February 17.
ROC's Anna Shcherbakova performs her free skating routine on February 17. (Valery Sharifulin/TASS/Getty Images)

In one of the most highly-anticipated events of Beijing 2022 Games, Anna Shcherbakova put in a near-faultless performance to win gold in the women's singles figure skating event.

Her Russian Olympic Committee teammate Kamila Valieva has been at the center of a doping scandal since the team event, allowing Shcherbakova to skate somewhat under the radar.

The 17-year-old came into the free skate event in second place after Tuesday's short program, but finished on top of the podium.

“The importance of this [gold medal] is so huge that I cannot fully understand it yet," Shcherbakova said. "At the moment I have only felt the happiness from the fact that I was able to do everything I am capable of in my program."

“I still haven’t realized that the competition has finished and this is the result," she added. "I haven’t understood what has happened.”

There were emotional scenes after the event had finished, with Valieva and silver medalist Alexandra Trusova both in floods of tears ahead of the flower ceremony.

However, Shcherbakova insisted her joy hadn't been dampened by the disappointment of her teammates.

“No, I am just happy," she said. “It’s just the pure happiness of working for so long and being able to deliver a program like this at the Olympics.”

Despite the spotlight that has been on Valieva and figure skating over the past week, Shcherbakova showed remarkable poise and composure to block out the furore.

The current world champion said that controversy didn't affect her "at all."

"Only the trainings, my readiness for the competition affects me," she said. "The last days I was always thinking about my performance, about my programs. I was so focused on every practice."

She added, "Every time I was skating my programs, I was so focused. I was always thinking about what I need to do to show my maximum."

10:54 a.m. ET, February 17, 2022

Men's Olympic curling final set after Great Britain defeats reigning champion US

From CNN's Homero De la Fuente

Great Britain's Bruce Mouat delivers a stone during their semifinal match against the United States on February 17.
Great Britain's Bruce Mouat delivers a stone during their semifinal match against the United States on February 17. (Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty Images)

Great Britain knocked off John Shuster and the defending gold medalist Team USA, 8-4, in the men’s semifinal match on Thursday to advance to the final.

Great Britain, led by Bruce Mouat, secured its first medal of the Beijing Olympics with the victory. The British men’s team will seek to capture its first curling gold since the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

In the other semifinal, Sweden narrowly edged Canada with a 5-3 victory to advance to the final.

Great Britain will face defending world champion Sweden in the men’s gold medal match on Saturday, while Team USA will play Canada in the men’s bronze medal match on Friday.

12:44 p.m. ET, February 17, 2022

Here's why figure skater Kamila Valieva's doping controversy mattered

From CNN Sport Staff

Kamila Valieva competes in the women's free skate on February 17.
Kamila Valieva competes in the women's free skate on February 17. (Peter Kneffel/Picture Alliance/Getty Images)

Kamila Valieva's fourth-place finish in the women's singles skating has penned the next chapter in a story that is certain to rumble on far beyond the Beijing Games.

The Russian figure skater has been at the heart of a doping scandal that can be traced back to December 2021, when the 15-year-old tested positive for the banned heart drug trimetazidine.

However, the test was only analyzed and reported to Russia's Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) in February, resulting in Valieva's suspension on Feb. 8.

The suspension came a day after she had helped the ROC to a gold medal victory in the figure skating team event.

Valieva was reinstated after an appeal, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) allowed her to compete in the Olympics, citing specific provisions related to her protected status as a minor, while investigations into any doping violations by Valieva and the adults responsible for her training continue.

The skater's continued involvement in the Games led US sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson to question the decision — citing a positive test for cannabis that derailed her own Olympic dream in Tokyo last summer.

"Can we get a solid answer on the difference of (Valieva's) situation and mines (sic)?" Richardson wrote on Twitter.

"My mother died and I can't run and was also favored to place top 3. The only difference I see is I'm a Black young lady," she added.

On Tuesday, an International Olympic Committee (IOC) official said that Valieva was blaming the doping violation — in which she tested positive for a heart medication that experts say can improve stamina — on contamination from her grandfather's medication.

Her coach, Eteri Tutberidze, told Russian state news agency Tass they are "absolutely sure" she is innocent.

The medication's effects of increased endurance could potentially prove influential following a rule change in 2004 which rewards athletes for performing jumps towards the end of their routines.

Under the current scoring system, jumps performed in the second half of the free skate can get a 10% bonus because it's more difficult to perform them on tired legs.

Following widespread criticism of the rule in 2018 — with critics alleging that skaters were cramming in jumps towards the back end of performances — the International Skating Union created a new rule saying skaters will only get 10% bonuses for up to three jumping passes in the second half of their free skate.

It was under this context and unprecedented pressure that Valieva competed in the individual event, yet the 15-year-old posted the highest score in the short program on Tuesday to arrive at Thursday's deciding free skate in pole position.

Further controversy followed when it was announced by an IOC spokesperson that any result involving Valieva in the women’s individual event would carry an "asterisk" until her case has been concluded, and as such, there would be no flower or medal ceremony.

Yet after multiple falls in her free skate routine, Valieva's fourth placed finish left her just outside the podium places. Subsequently, the medal ceremony is set to go ahead on Friday, Feb. 18, according to the official Olympics media website.

However, despite Valieva falling out of the individual medal positions, the fallout from the scandal is sure to taint the Games as the investigation continues on.

Read the full report here.