Brian Mann

She shattered her leg in a crash less than a year ago, but has come back to win two gold medals so far.

Then there's Norway, where cross-country skier Johannes Klebo made history over the weekend, winning his ninth career Olympic gold medal, the most of any Winter Games athlete.

The U.S.

trails those countries in the medal count after disappointing performances from some of the star U.S.

athletes.

Russia mostly sidelined this year because of strict restrictions that followed the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

And after a strong showing four years ago at the Beijing Games, China has faltered at Milan Cortina, winning only a handful of medals.

Brian Mann, NPR News, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

A growing number of U.S.

Olympians have voiced criticism in Italy about Trump's immigration crackdown.

Hess from Bend, Oregon, said in a press conference last week he has, quote, mixed emotions to represent the U.S.

right now.

Trump fired back Sunday on his Truth Social platform, calling Hess a real loser, adding, quote, very hard to root for someone like this.

The exchange comes after U.S.

figure skater Amber Glenn said she's received threats and hate online after voicing support for LGBTQ rights.

I've never had so many people wish me harm before, Glenn told NPR.

In a statement, the U.S.

Olympic and Paralympic Committee said it takes threats against U.S.

athletes seriously, adding that they'd seen an increase in abusive and harmful messages directed at the athletes.

Brian Mann, NPR News, Milan.