Controversy. This year’s Winter Games have been filled with one issue after the next. First, it was the anti-gay stance of Vladimir Putin. Russia passed a law banning propaganda of “nontraditional sexual relations.” Then Putin declared that the law was made because he wanted to ban propaganda of homosexuality and pedophilia, proposing that homosexuals are more likely to harass children. Then, there’s the controversy of putting the Winter Olympics in one of the warmest places in the country, Sochi. Putin decided to place the Games there because some of his colleagues have resorts and restaurants in the area. Despite this controversy, Putin gets away without a consequence because of the strength of his office. In response, Barack Obama declined a visit to Russia to visit Putin, instead sending Billy Jean King to lead America’s Olympic delegation, no doubt intending to frustrate the Russian dictator. Lastly, Vladimir Putin recently came on TV declaring that now terrorists will threaten the Winter Games. Rumors came up that a women named Ruzanna Ibragimova will supposedly be used as a suicide bomber during the Olympics; however, Obama came out on January 31 declaring his faith in the safety of these games, but warned American athletes to be careful, as they have been warned not to wear America gear outside of the Olympic Village. Recently, a brand new issue popped up. Sanitation. A fan staying at one of the onsite resorts posted a picture of tap water from her hotel room that was the color of mud mixed with rain water.  Despite all the drama, the Winter Olympics have an eclectic mix of events and is definitely worth your while. Here are my expert picks for each event:

Events-

Alpine Skiing

American Angle: Five-time medalist Bode Miller leads the American team into Sochi  and is looking for another gold medal.

My pick: Bode Miller, go America.

Biathlon

American Angle: We didn’t perform very well last time out, with the highest placing American being Jeremy Teela, who finished ninth.

My pick: Jakov Fak from Croatia. He finished with the bronze in 2010, plus he has an incredible name.

Bobsled (Two Man)

American Angle: Curt Tomasevicz and Steve Holcomb were the highest placing Americans clocking in at sixth place.

My Pick: One of Germany’s dynamic duo, Andre Lange and Kevin Kuske or Thomas Florshutz and Richard Adjei. Lange and Kuske finished with the gold last out, with Florshutz and Adjei coming up just short. I bet Florshutz and Adjei will come into the Games with something to prove, taking the gold from their fellow countrymen.

Cross Country Skiing

American Angle: The highest placing American was James Southam, placing 48^th. We have some work to do in this event.

My pick: Pietro Piller Cottrer, an Italian who won silver at the previous games, will improve one more spot to take the gold.

Curling-

American Angle: The Men’s and Women’s teams finished in 11^th place last time out, good for last place.

My Pick: Canada’s teams both won gold in the previous games, and I see them reaching the mountain top again.

Figure Skating

American Angle: Meryl Davis and Charlie White finished with the silver at the last Olympics, but I believe they can come out with gold.

My Pick: Meryl Davis and Charlie White will win it all this year.

Freestyle Skiing

American Angle: Jeret Peterson won silver in the last Olympics, with a solid showing, finishing a point behind Alexi Grishin of Bulgaria.

My Pick: A Grishin repeat

Ice Hockey

American Angle: Team USA came up just short in the previous games, falling in overtime 3-2 to Team Canada.   Both teams come back loaded with talent as Team USA is led by Jonathan Quick and my favorite player Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks.  Sidney Crosby who scored the golden goal in overtime of the finals leads team Canada. Despite the greatness of Team Russia lead by Alexander Ovechkin and Evengi Malkin, I believe America and Canada will make a return to the Finals.

My Pick: ‘Murica will upset Team Canada in the finals for the gold.

Luge

American Angle: Tony Benshoof placed in 8^th in the most recent Olympics.

My Pick: David Moeller of Germany will overtake his countrymen Felix Loch for gold.

Nordic Combined

American Angle: Bill Demong and Johnny Spillane won gold and silver respectively for America, finishing only four seconds apart. Look for Demong and Spillmane to pull away from the pack again this year.

My Pick: Spillane overtakes Demong for first, but Demong will finish right behind him.

Short Track Speed Skating-

American Angle: Skating superstar and Subway pitchman, Apolo Ohno finished with the bronze in 2010. He vowed to come back from 2010 with a better finish, declaring that he isn’t satisfied with third.

My Pick: Call me a homer, but I have Apolo finishing with the gold.

Skeleton-

American Angle: Zach Lund finished fifth in the Vancouver Games, only two seconds behind gold medalist Jon Montgomery of Canda.

My Pick: The bronze medalist of the Vancouver Games, Alexander Tretiakov.

Ski Jumping

American Angle: The highest placing American was Peter Frenette at 32^nd place.

My Pick: Andreas Kofler from Austria. He barely missed a medal at fourth place the last time out, but I expect him to have an even better outing this time around.

Snowboard

American Angle: Shaun White won gold in the half pipe last time, this time will be no different.

My Pick: For the slalom, I believe Benjamin Karl, the silver medalist from Austria, will make the climb to gold this year. As for the half pipe, could, really be anyone not named Shaun White?

Speed Skating

American Angle

Shani Davis, a native Chicagoan won the gold by more than a second last time around. Look for him to repeat this feat or widen the gap.

My Pick: Shani Davis