Athletes to watch at 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi

The 2014 Winter Olympic Games will begin in Sochi, Russia on Feb. 7, 2014. Here is a look at some of the athletes expected to make headlines a year from now:

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USA TODAY Sports Photo By Paul Bussi-USA TODAY Sports Mon, Feb 4, 2013 7:40 AM EST

Ayumu Hirano (Japan), snowboarding: Shaun White has competition in the halfpipe in the form of Hirano, a pint-sized teenager who went air-for-air against the snowboarding legend at the 2013 X Games. The 14-year-old Hirano is the future in men's halfpipe. The question is if the future starts in 2014.
Ayumu Hirano (Japan), snowboarding: Shaun White has competition in the halfpipe in the form of Hirano, a pint-sized teenager who went air-for-air against the snowboarding legend at the 2013 X Games. The 14-year-old Hirano is the future in men's halfpipe. The question is if the future starts in 2014.