Winter Olympics get underway ahead of Opening Ceremony

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea — The 2018 Winter Olympics are underway, although the Opening Ceremony is still a day away.

Figure skating is one of the first events, and there will be a lot of eyes on the competition.

The women’s figure skating field is stacked, with Russia expected to pull strong performances. But Team USA’s women, including Bradie Tennell, are focused.

“I've just been trying to fine-tune all the details, make everything as close to perfection as possible and, you know, just put together the whole package,” Tennell said.

The women have a bit more time to prepare, but the men’s and pairs short programs are set for Thursday.

Meanwhile, speed skater John Henry Kreuger got his start in the Pittsburgh area, having grown up in Peters Township. His mother was a figure skating coach.

In order to pursue his Olympic goals, Kreuger had to make life-changing decisions.

“For me, I couldn't go to a normal school, I had to do home schooling. I couldn't hang out with friends all of the time. Moving to Salt Lake City at age 16 to train with the national team was a huge jump for me.,” Kreuger explained.

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Kreuger, who had hoped to compete in the Sochi Olympics before swine flu kept him from competing, spent the last three years living in South Korea and the Netherlands to get the best training.

Kreuger said he is ready for the PyeongChang games but isn’t putting too much pressure on himself.

“The only expectation I’m putting on myself is to not be afraid to skate and do what I can do,” Kreuger said.

When it comes time for Team USA to parade in front of the world during Friday’s Opening Ceremony, the athletes will be led by a four-time Olympian.

Luger Erin Hamlin was voted to be Team USA’s flag-bearer.

Hamlin made history in Sochi, becoming the first U.S. athlete to win an Olympic singles luge medal.

Despite her historic win, Hamlin wasn’t expecting to receive the honor from her peers to carry the flag.

“There are some pretty heavy hitters on Team USA this year that would have been some pretty big names to carry the flag, so, yeah, I was surprised,” Hamlin said.

• Team Figure Skating - men's and pair's short programs
• Freestyle Skiing - Qualifying men's and women's moguls

Channel 11 took part in a virtual torch relay leading up to the Olympic games. NBC affiliates passed the torch from Twitter account to Twitter account. You can follow the action below:

Cox Media Group