SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Fast five, Thursday edition: Five things you'll want to know about the 2014 Winter Olympics.
PUSSY RIOT LEAVES: Russian punk band Pussy Riot on Thursday ended their stay in Sochi by posting a video criticizing the Winter Games and President Vladimir Putin. The band had violent run-ins with authorities since arriving on Sunday. Band members say they are returning to Moscow to attend the verdicts in a trial of 20 people arrested after clashes on the eve of Putin's inauguration to a third term in 2012.
UKRAINIAN WITHDRAWS: Ukrainian skier Bogdana Matsotska has withdrawn from the Sochi Games in response to the violence in her country. Her father and coach says he and his daughter are "extremely angry at President Viktor Yanukovych" after a clash between anti-government protesters and police ended with 25 people dead and hundreds injured.
WOMEN'S HOCKEY SHOWDOWN: The game everyone knew was coming is finally here. The Canadians and the Americans play for the gold medal in women's hockey on Thursday in a matchup of the two dominant powers in the sport. It's the fourth time in five Winter Games they've met for the Olympic championship.
AMERICAN NIGHTMARE: Maria Lamb is ripping U.S. Speedskating after a disappointing run for the Americans in Sochi. Lamb, who finished last in the women's 5,000 meters, says "Over the last few years, a few of us have raced better in spite of the organization rather than because of it." The U.S. has yet to medal in Sochi.
MEDAL MOVERS: Norway is back atop the medal standings after winning two golds for the second day in a row — the fourth time it has won two golds in a day during the Sochi Games. Norway's two golds in cross-country skiing and the mixed relay biathlon on Wednesday moved it ahead of Germany in the overall medal standings, with 20 medals total.
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