By: Dani Mirell
This year’s 2018 Winter Olympics features the Maize and Blue as Michigan alumni compete in this year’s games in PyeongChang. While many Michigan natives make up a substantial amount of the athletes from Team USA, the U.S. Figure Skating team features former Wolverines looking for their chance to take home Olympic gold.
Evan Bates (‘13) - Evan Bates, an Ann Arbor native, attended U of M and graduated with a degree in Organizational Studies in 2013. He is a two-time World medalist, winning silver in 2015 and bronze in 2016 with his partner Madison Chock. He is also a two time Grand Prix Final silver medalist, a four time Four Continents medalist and a 2015 U.S. national champion. This is Bates’ third year competing in the Winter Olympics after representing the United States in the 2010 Vancouver games and 2014 Sochi games. Bates was elected as team captain of this year’s U.S. Olympics Figure skating team.
Maia and Alex Shibutani (’13 and ’16) – Both U of M alums, siblings Maia and Alex Shibutani are competing in their second Olympic games this year in South Korea as they look to redeem themselves after placing 9th in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. This week “The Shib Sibs” redeemed themselves by earning second in their free dance, securing USA’s figure skating team an Olympic bronze medal. The dynamic duo are three time world medalists (2011, 2015, 2017) and 6 time Grand Prix champions. Alex and Maia made history this week becoming the first Asian-Americans to medal in ice dancing at the Olympics.
Congratulations to our Olympians and fellow wolverines and wherever you go, Go Blue!