1 in 3 Americans Say They Feel 'Very Patriotic' During the Olympics, Survey Finds

Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

When Team USA begins their Beijing Olympics journey this week, fans at home will be feeling the pride!

As for the sports, Americans said in the survey that they’re most excited for figure skating (39%), ski jumping (29%) and bobsled (28%).

And survey respondents are betting big on Team USA: the majority said they expect America to finish with the most medals in snowboarding, skiing and figure skating. And they think the American athletes will win gold in men’s and women’s hockey, too (even without NHL players competing for the men).

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Team USA is sending 224 athletes to Beijing, and has numerous Americans competing for their first time. And some are more seasoned, like curler John Shuster, who will compete in his fifth Olympics, and snowboarder Shaun White, who is also going for a fifth time.

“It is one of those things where I have accomplished so much,” said White. “I think it would be a different story if I had come close to the gold four times and this was my last chance … Having such a long and amazing career, now at this point in my life, I can go back and go ‘Wow, it’s been incredible.’ "

He added, “I don’t think I will ever leave the sport. It is just me taking on a new role which is empowering and exciting.”

source: people.com