Kevin Hill (centre) and Tess Critchlow (third from right) are two Okanagan residents competing at the Winter Olympics in Bejing, China.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Kevin Hill
February 03, 2022 - 7:00 PM
Some Okanagan residents are vying for a spot on the podium as the 2022 Winter Olympics get underway Friday in Beijing.
The Olympics are looking quite different this year in Beijing, as the country grapples with the pandemic. The Chinese capital has been on high-alert as it prepares to host the Winter Olympics, starting Feb. 4.
Since Jan. 15, Beijing has reported a total of 115 locally transmitted cases of COVID-19, including six cases of the highly contagious omicron variant. In response, the government has mass tested millions of people and sealed off several neighbourhoods in different parts of the city while avoiding a strict lockdown for the entire capital.
READ MORE: Beijing says COVID-19 situation 'controllable,' 'safe'
Keep an eye out for these Okanagan athletes by tuning in:
Kevin Hill
Kevin Hill, from Vernon, is competing in the men’s snowboard cross event. This is the third time the 35-year-old is competing in the winter games.
The men’s cross seeding events begin at 7:15 p.m. Feb. 9, at the Genting Snow Park P & X Stadium. If Hill makes the qualifying races, he will compete at the medal event Feb. 9 at 11:15 p.m.
READ MORE: Vernon Olympian gets third shot to land podium spot in Beijing
Tess Crictlow
Big White snowboard Tess Crictlow is also returning for another shot at the podium. She finished ninth overall in the snowboard cross event in the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games. This year, the seeding events for the women’s snowboard cross events begins Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. If she qualifies, the finals will be held at 10:45 p.m.
READ MORE: Big White snowboarder heading to Beijing Olympics
Elena Gaskell
Vernon freestyle skier Elena Gaskell, 20, will be competing in her first Olympic event. Calling it “a dream come true,” Gaskell will begin her Olympic journey in the Women's Freeski Big Air qualifying events Feb. 6, at 5:30 p.m.
If she makes it to the finals, you can watch her Feb. 7 at 6 p.m., according to the Olympics website.
READ MORE: Vernon freestyle skier going to Beijing Olympics
Corban Knight
Former Calgary Flames forward and Oliver native Corban Knight got his first international ice hockey experience with Canada at the 2021 Channel One Cup, registering two assists in three games as Canada finished third.
The 31-year-old is competing as part of Team Canada against Germany for the first round Feb. 10, at 5:10 a.m. at the Wukesong Sports Centre and again against the U.S.A. Feb. 12 at 8:10 p.m.
CBC is streaming the games live here.
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