Cover Story

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JASON GREEN
Jewish Renaissance Media

Atlanta

ews have been successful at many things, but ath-
letic competitions involving ice and snow have
riot been traditional strengths. Yet, at least three
American Jews arid five Israelis will give it their
all as the 2002 Olympics open today in Salt Lake City.
The Americans are making their marks on the ice --
Dan Weinstein in short-track speed skating, Sara
DeCosta in women's ice hockey and Sa.sha Cohen in
figure skating. Israel will send two ice dancers, a figure-
skating couple and speed skater Olga Danilov.
They all are hoping to repeat the successes of Jewish
competitors in the summer games — swimmer I,enny
1<razyelberg took three golds two years ago. Mark Spitz
- won seven medals in the 1968 and 1972 games.
At the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan, short-
track speed skater Daniel Weinstein, the
youngest man on the U.S. team, was
eliminated during his first-round heat of
,---
the 500-meter competition. He fin-
ished 17th. The 21-year-old B rookline,--At,,„ .I.,
Mass., native, is scheduled to skate as
part of a four-man team in the short-track
5,000-meter relay at the Salt Lake Games.
Introduced at the 1992 Games in Albertville,
Canada, short track pits skaters against each other.
Four skaters race at a time, with first- and second-place
finishers advancing to the next roundd. At the start, four
racers line up side by side, but can pass at any time..
In the relay, the same skater must skate the final two

Three American Jews
and five Israelis
are ready
to reach for
Olympic medals
in Utah.

America's Sasha Cohen has a strong chance to medal.

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