United States to Send a Record 242 Athletes to Winter Olympics

The United States will send the largest team ever to attend a Winter Olympics, a total of 242 athletes, to next month’s Pyeongchang Games, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced on Friday, reports Reuters.

Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, figure skating favorite Nathan Chen and speedskater Shani Davis, the winner of four Olympic medals, headline the team of 107 women and 135 men who will be seeking to earn the United States their 100th Olympic gold and 300th medal. Davis becomes the first U.S. speedskater to compete in five Olympics and is also the most decorated team member with two golds and two silver medals.

Team USA won 28 medals, including nine golds, at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and with 103 Olympians returning, they are looking for an equally strong showing.

“It’s been pretty brutal to wait for another Olympics,” said Vonn, who will be making her fourth appearance at a Games having missed out on a trip to Sochi in 2014 with a knee injury. “I am so excited, it is probably my last Olympics,” added the 2010 Vancouver downhill gold medallist who recently claimed a record 79th World Cup race.

Ten previous Olympic champions are on the team, including five looking to defend their titles from the 2014 Sochi Games. Jamie Anderson (snowboarding slopestyle), Maddie Bowman (freestyle skiing halfpipe), Ted Ligety (Alpine skiing giant slalom), Mikaela Shiffrin (Alpine skiing slalom) and David Wise (freestyle skiing halfpipe).