After a four year wait, it is once again time to pull out your USA toboggans and star-spangled mittens for the 2014 Winter Olympics. All the XXII Winter Olympics athletes from all over the world will meet in Sochi, Russia for this revered celebration of world competition. After the opening ceremony, there are some events that just cannot be missed.  In these events, the athletes depend on all the blood sweat, and tears they have given to excel in the sport they love and bring home a medal, plus bragging rights to their country. On Feb. 6, it is time to sit the family in front of the TV and root for your country of choice.

Snowboarding

Begins Saturday Feb. 8

One of the larger events, snowboarding, includes both men’s and women’s half pipe, parallel giant slalom, snowboard cross, slope style and parallel slalom. As one of the most watched events, it holds appeal for all ages because of its diverse events and exciting nature.

Speed Skating    

Begins Saturday Feb. 8

Speed skating is basically a high speed race on ice. On a 400 meter track, athletes race across the ice with knife-like blades strapped to their shoes. This event is held indoors on a track that will see both blood and tears before the competition is done.

Luge

Begins Sunday Feb. 9

As one of the winter Olympics’ more dangerous sports, Luge is an event that will leave you with butterflies in your stomach. In this event, single or two-person sleds slide down a special track at extremely high speeds. The goal is to finish with the fastest time, so the athletes race down the track at speeds that make your stomach flip in order to have a shot at the gold.

Figure Skating

Begins Sunday Feb. 9

Figure skating is made up of individual men and women events, pairs, ice dancing and team events. This elegant demonstration of grace and beauty allows countries and their teams to show off the softer side of their culture and create a beautiful show that captivates audiences of all nationalities.

Bobsleigh

Begins Monday Feb.17

Bobsleigh is a high-speed mountain descent on man-made ice tracks in a controlled sledge or bob. In these sledges are four-man teams that race down the mountain as fast as possible to beat other countries’ teams. This fast-paced race against time will have you at the edge of your seat until the last team.