Injury Puts Hale Out of Event

Jayson Hale, one of four members of the U.S. men’s snowboard cross team, suffered a torn ligament in his right knee in practice and will not compete Thursday when the discipline makes its Olympic debut.

Halewas considered to have a fair shot at winning a medal.

He is expected to be replaced by Graham Watanabe of Sun Valley, Idaho.

-- Pete Thomas

The women’s 500-meter speedskating race was sparsely attended, even with Italian Chiara Simionato a medal contender.

“I was pretty disappointed,” U.S. skater Jennifer Rodriguez said. “I felt like they should have sold out. I was surprised.”

Simionato finished 10th and Rodriguez 11th.

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With a race to occupy her thinking, Rodriguez said she had no idea Tuesday was Valentine’s Day. Her husband, KC Boutiette, also is on the U.S. speedskating team.

Husband and wife still have races left in Turin, so there would be no escaping the Olympic village for dinner in a romantic trattoria. “Maybe in the cafeteria,” Rodriguez said.

-- Bill Shaikin

King defenseman Mattias Norstrom is still hoping to play for Sweden in the Olympics, but it is becoming increasingly unlikely that he will be healthy enough to go to Italy.

Norstrom said he suffered a concussion against Minnesota on Feb. 7 and played only two periods in three games before the Olympic break. He conferred with officials of the Swedish team and was granted more time to make a decision.

-- Chris Foster