Of the Chicagoans competing in the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, these four athletes—plus star speed skater Shani Davis—are the most likely to bring home some bling, according to NBC Sports and Sports Illustrated.
Catch them in action February 7 to 23 on NBC.
Katie Eberling, 25, and Aja Evans, 25
Bobsled
Evans (right), from Homewood, was a sprinter at the University of Illinois (and is the niece of former Cubs hitting coach Gary Matthews). Eberling, from Palos Hills (left), made her name as a Western Michigan University volleyball player. Their job is to “push”: get the sled churning down the ice.
Likeliest medal: Silver, helped by team driver Elana Meyers.
Ann Swisshelm, 45
Curling
She learned the sport as a child at Exmoor Country Club in Highland Park and came thisclose to a medal in the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City. To train for Sochi, the West Town resident quit her sales job and traveled to Toronto (where team skip Erika Brown lives) every other weekend.
Likeliest medal: Bronze—the first medal ever for the U.S. women’s curling team.
Patrick Kane, 25
Hockey
Sure, he’s originally from Buffalo, but the Blackhawks all-star forward has clearly made the Second City his home. Kane will likely skate on the right wing with the U.S. first line and would doubtless love to battle teammate Jonathan Toews and the Canadians in a rematch of the 2010 gold medal game.
Likeliest medal: Bronze. Sorry, no Miracle on Ice 2 this year.