U.S. Olympian Says Russia’s Exit Boosts Chances to Win

By TATYANA BELLAMY-WALKER

Two-time Olympic Silver Medalist, Hilary Knight says she isn’t worried about Russia’s exit from this year’s winter olympics — for Team Visa she says, it brings them closer to taking home a win for the states.  

“I’m just focused on the U.S. and what we can do to bring back the gold medal to the United States,” the ice hockey star told the Brooklyn News Service. “It’s interesting as a competitor. I just want to go out there and compete.”

Just days after the International Olympics Committee (IOC) banned Russia from the 2018 winter Olympics in South Korea for a state-backed doping program, some of Team Visa’s top athletes gathered at Root NYC in the Flatiron District, for a panel about wearable payment devices including pins and stickers.  

The five Team Visa sponsored athletes included the Nigerian Women’s bobsled team, who “broke the internet” with their GoFundMe account to raise money for the journey to South Korea,  and USA skiing team member Maggie Voisin.

Akuoma Omeoga, a brakemen for the bobsled team dodged questions related to Russia but said, “It’s always important to shed light on Nigeria and the continent of Africa.”

Omeoga added, “Visa swept us under their wing. The financial backing along with the familial support has been outstanding.”

Team Visa will head to the 2018 Winter Olympics Games on February 9.