The figure skating team event at the 2022 Winter Olympics was held between 4 and 7 February at the Capital Indoor Stadium (pictured) in Beijing, China. It consisted of competitions in men's singles, women's singles, pair skating, and ice dance. Skaters and teams earned points based on their placements in each event; medalists were determined based on their total points. The team representing the Russian Olympic Committee originally finished in first place, while the team from the United States finished second, and the Japanese team third. The medal ceremony was postponed when a positive test confirming the presence of a banned substance was received for Kamila Valieva of Russia. After nearly two years of litigation, Valieva's scores were stricken and the newly tabulated results placed the American team first, the Japanese team second, and the Russian team third. The American and Japanese teams received their medals at a ceremony held at the Jardins du Trocadéro in Paris during the 2024 Summer Olympics. ( Full article... )
May 24 : Aldersgate Day (Methodism)
| | Nephila pilipes is a species of golden orb-web spider found across Asia and parts of Oceania. It is commonly found in humid forests and coastal areas, near surface water and against buildings. The species shows extreme sexual dimorphism, with females among the world's largest orb-weaving spiders, reaching 50 mm (2 in) in body length, while males are typically only 5–6.5 mm (0.2–0.25 in). Nephila pilipes preys mainly on flying insects and can alter web structure depending on prey type. Its asymmetrical golden webs are made from exceptionally strong silk that has been studied in materials science. The spider rarely bites humans, and its bites are generally mild. In parts of Vietnam, it is also eaten as a traditional food source. This photograph shows an N. pilipes female and male (on the female's abdomen) on the Wu Kau Tang, Hong Kong. Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp Recently featured: |