Curling will have 14 participating nations, with the men's and mixed doubles events have a group stage (surely a first for an international MSE event? @Olympian1010?)   Mixed doubles   Group A:   I believe this is Turkmenistan's (and possibly Thailand and Kuwait) international curling debut.   Group B:   Women's:   Men's:   Group A:   Group B:    

Slovakia is technically returning through Czechia :)

We've been told that during the past 3 tournaments as well. There won't be many opportunities left. While I obviously believe they can do something big this year, it will be crucial not to screw up the quarterfinal game from the very beginning.

Italy will boycott the Azeri stage for protest against the international federation.

Likely for Tannheimer, quite unlikely for Galmace Paulin. She's far from being assured to even start in the WC before turning 20. Basically she'd have to get a spot this season, which could actually happen if she takes the extra-ticket at the JWCH. Anyway I don't see her making her way to gold in Oslo. Tänglander has a few seasons to do it, we'll see.       Quite surprisingly so, indeed. Barring her horrendous finish Richard would have made it 2 in one go. We should have some more names in the list in 2025.

There are some of Slovakia's finest young squads at the World Juniors in recent years

Winner in    

Alpine skiing also we have a lot of problems: the men's team is very weak and has been winning a few podiums a season for several years and the our best skier- Dominik Paris is 35. We still have a strong women's team but 3 of the 4 leaders are over 30 (Goggia, Brignone, Curtoni) and Bassino is 28. Another 2 years and we will have the same problem as the men's. There is basically no cross-country skiing without Pellegrino for many years, biathlon is based on 2 individuals with one of them has a 35 years. Vittozzi's injury was enough and we haven`t a single podium this season after 3 stages of the World Cup. As for 1 year to the home games the situation isn`t optimistic.

Hail to the Reds... Commanders. First time since 1991 Washington QB has thrown 5 TD passes in a game (which isn't all that improbable in the modern game alas Dan Snyder...)    

Italy is much better in alpine skiing, in The end all Nations have a Limited Talent Pool. Norway is far better than Sweden/Finland in Cross-Country skiing, alpine skiing and Biathlon, but Sweden/Finland are far better in ice Hockey.  Great Britain wins far more medals than Germany At Summer olympics, but GB is also inexistant in Winter Sports and Most popular Team Sports (Volleyball, Handball, Basketball, Ich Hockey).