AT A GLANCE

Originally published Sunday, February 24, 2002

MEN'S HOCKEY: One day after a bitter 3-2 loss to the Americans, the Russians bounced back with a 7-2 thumping of heavy underdog Belarus in the bronze medal game. The Russians, led by a pair of goals from Alexei Kovalev, scored five answered goals after Belarus tied it 2-2 in the second period.

The gold medal game between the United States and Canada was set for today.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING: Just as his Web site proclaims, Johann Muehlegg is the "king of Solider Hollow." Muehlegg, a German who became a Spanish citizen in 1999, won his third gold medal of the games in the 50-kilometer classical race.

"Now I am feeling very tired," Muehlegg said. "I'm not sure if I will be able to celebrate these gold medals."

Russian Mikhail Ivanov won the silver, while Estonia's Andrus Veerpalu took the bronze.

Muehlegg earlier won gold in the 30K freestyle and 10K pursuit. Only Norway's Ole Einar Bjoerndalen, with four golds, and Croatia's Janica Kostelic, with three, have done as well as Muehlegg.

SPEEDSKATING: Two-time defending gold medalist Claudia Pechstein of Germany, in a world record performance, took the gold in the women's 5,000 meters.

It was her second gold of the games, and made her just the second speedskater to ever win three consecutive Olympic titles. American Bonnie Blair won the 500 in 1988, '92 and '94.

BOBSLED: Although the gold medal went to Germany 2, driven by Andre Lange, second place -- not to mention third -- was every bit as sweet to the Americans.

"We came out here wanting a medal of any color -- it didn't matter," said Todd Hays, driver of silver-medal winning USA-1. "What an amazing ending."

USA-1, piloted by ex-college linebacker Hays, was in third place before a fourth and final run that earned the silver. USA-2, with captain Brian Shimer in his fifth and final Olympics, led his squad from fourth into a bronze.

It was the first U.S. men's bobsled medal since the four-man team took bronze at Cortina, Italy, in 1956.

SHORT TRACK SPEED-

SKATING: Seattle native Apolo Anton Ohno, one of the Winter Games' most-hyped performers, came up short in both his races on the penultimate night of the Olympics. He wound up with a gold and silver -- from previous race -- rather than the four golds that he sought.

In the 500 meters, the 19-year-old was disqualified after collision with Japanese skater Satoru Terao. And later, in the 5,000-meter relay, the Americans finished last among the four competing teams.

The Canadians, led by double-gold medalist Marc Gagnon, won the relay. Italy won the silver, and China won the bronze.

Rusty Miller of the U.S. captured a bronze medal in the 500 meters. The gold went to Gagnon, whose teammate Jonathan Guilmette took the silver.

In the women's 1,000 meters, Yang Yang (A) of China won the gold medal, Yang Yang (S) of China won the bronze, and Ko Gi-hyun of South Korea won the silver.

ALPINE SKIING: Bode Miller, the U.S. skier who had already won a pair of silver medals in his first two races, staggered to a 25th place finish Saturday in the men's slalom.

Miller twice veered off the course, dashing his chances at a medal. He finished nearly 12 seconds behind gold medalist Jeann-Pierre Vidal of France.

Sebastien Amiez of France won the silver, and Alain Baxter won bronze, becoming the first British skier to win an Alpine medal. From Scotland, Baxter is known as "The Highlander."

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