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Connecticut Olympians Step Off In Opening Ceremony In Sochi

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. – Olympians from Fairfield County and across Connecticut will march in the opening ceremonies for the winter games Friday in Sochi, Russia, but not all of them will be wearing the red, white and blue of the United States.

A banner in Ridgefield shows support for the United States teams as they get ready for the Winter Olympics. Ridgefield's Tucker West will compete in luge at the Games.

A banner in Ridgefield shows support for the United States teams as they get ready for the Winter Olympics. Ridgefield's Tucker West will compete in luge at the Games.

Photo Credit: Joe Lombardi

Redding’s Brooklee Han (Australia) and Stamford’s Siobhan Heekin-Canedy (Ukraine) will compete in figure skating events under different flags.

Here’s a list of Olympians from Connecticut with their hometowns as recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee, sport and first day of competition:

  • Julie Chu, of Fairfield, women’s hockey, Saturday, Feb. 8
  • Tucker West, of Ridgefield, luge, Saturday, Feb. 8
  • Max Pacioretty, of New Canaan, men’s hockey, Thursday, Feb. 13
  • Kevin Shattenkirk, of Greenwich, men’s hockey, Thursday Feb. 13
  • Mac Bohonnon, of Madison, men’s skiing (aerials), Monday, Feb. 17
  • Lindsey Jacobellis, of Roxbury, snowboarding, snowboardcross, Monday, Feb. 16
  • Eliza Outtrim, of Hamden, freestyle skiing, moguls, Monday, Feb. 10
  • Jonathan Quick, of Milford, men’s hockey, Thursday, Feb. 13

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy got into the game, congratulating the Connecticut athletes and wishing them the best in their competitions.

“We are honored to have a talented, exceptional group of Olympic competitors who hail from Connecticut and will represent our state and our nation in one of the most prominent sporting events in the world,” Malloy said. 

“These athletes represent the best in their fields, and I guarantee that there will be a strong contingent of us back home in Connecticut cheering them on as they stand in front of the world representing the United States. I wish all of the athletes the best of luck.”

Some of that hometown cheering will happen from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 8, as the Ridgefield Playhouse invites residents and fans of the luge to watch hometown hero West compete on the big screen. 

Heekin-Canedy will compete for Ukraine in ice dancing with her partner Dmitri Dun first in the new Team Event competition on Sunday, Feb. 8, and then in the individual ice dance competition with the short dance on Sunday, Feb. 16.

Han will compete for Australia in the ladies figure skating short program on Wednesday, Feb. 19. 

Of all the Connecticut athletes, Chu is the most experienced. The 31-year-old forward has already won three Olympic medals, two silver and one bronze, and is going for her first gold medal. Jacobellis won a silver medal in the 2006 Olympics. She also competed in 2010 but did not medal.

Han, who turned 18 in July, is the youngest in the Connecticut delegation. West turned 18 last June, and Bohonnon was 18 last March. West is the youngest athlete ever named to the U.S. luge team.

The Opening Ceremony airs on NBC starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7. 

For the complete guide to the Olympics, visit the Sochi2014.com website.

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