Minnesotans will have a large hand in helping the United States compete at the highest level during the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia next month.
The U.S. is sending a record 230 athletes to Russia for the Olympics, 19 of which are Minnesotans, according to City Pages. Only California (20) is the home to more American Olympians. Here’s the full list of Minnesotans headed to Sochi.
David Backes, Ice Hockey, Minneapolis
Jessie Diggins, Cross-Country Skiing, Afton
Justin Faulk, Ice Hockey, South St. Paul
Jeff Isaacson, Curling, Lakeland
John Landsteiner, Curling, Mapleton
Paul Martin, Ice Hockey, Elk River
Gigi Marvin, Ice Hockey, Warroad
Ryan McDonagh, Ice Hockey, St. Paul
Leif Nordgren, Biathlon, Marine on St. Croix
T.J. Oshie, Ice Hockey, Warroad
Zach Parise, Ice Hockey, Minneapolis
Allison Pottinger, Curling, Eden Prairie
Anna Ringsred, Long Track Speedskating, Duluth
Anne Schleper, Ice Hockey, St. Cloud
John Shuster, Curling, Chisholm
Lee Stecklein, Ice Hockey, Roseville
Derek Stepan, Ice Hockey, Hastings
Blake Wheeler, Ice Hockey, Robbinsdale
Jared Zezel, Curling, Hibbing
Closer to home, Wisconsin will be represented by 15 athletes, North Dakota is sending two and Iowa just one. South Dakota is one of 12 states that won’t be represented. Minnesota led the nation by sending 22 athletes to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Lindsey Vonn would have given Minnesota a tie for the most representatives, but multiple setbacks to her recovery from ACL surgery forced her to withdraw from competition. Instead, the Burnsville native will work stateside on the “Today” show and for NBC Sports as an analyst, according to the Pioneer Press. She’ll also provide updates on her rehabilitation and discuss what’s going through an athlete’s mind just days before intense competition.
Vonn won the gold medal in the downhill at the 2010 games.
