Canada beats U.S. behind Gushue to win Olympic curling bronze

John Shuster began his fifth Olympics as a U.S. flag bearer, major the defending men’s curling champions and the relaxation of Staff Usa into the Beijing Games’ opening ceremony.

He finished it vacant-handed, dropping 8-5 in the bronze medal match to Brad Gushue and Canada.

“I’m not retiring, but that does not indicate I will at any time get back in this article,” claimed Shuster, who would be 43 for the 2026 Online games in Milan and Cortina. “No make a difference what occurs, I’m so satisfied and proud and appreciate actively playing with these guys, and I hope they want to hold doing it.”

Gushue returned to the podium 16 decades soon after he won gold in Turin — beating an American staff that integrated Shuster in the semifinals. Four yrs ago, Canada was shut out in the men’s and women’s activities for the 1st time given that the activity returned to the Winter season Games in 2002.

All 3 Canadian curling teams in Beijing completed the spherical robin 5-4, but the girls and blended doubles teams skipped the playoffs on a tiebreaker.

“I’m sure men and women are going to talk about why we didn’t earn gold. And rightfully so,” explained Gushue, who was teamed this time with Mark Nichols, Brett Gallant, Geoff Walker and alternate Marc Kennedy.

“We’ve been a quite fantastic crew for a very long time,” Gushue claimed. “But this is not effortless this is challenging.”

Gushue shared the podium in Turin with Shuster, who won bronze. Shuster has been again at each Winter season Games because, profitable it all in Pyeongchang four yrs in the past.

“He’s a freak, guy. Like, five Olympics and we’re going to hopefully go for 6. That guy’s an absolute animal,” U.S. 2nd Matt Hamilton explained. “The guy’s an awesome dude and a fantastic teammate, and just I’m fortunate to be on his team.”

Gushue wasn’t capable to get by means of the ultra-competitive Canadian Olympic trials again until eventually this calendar year.

“The point that I was absent for 16 decades, this whole encounter usually means a great deal,” he claimed. “Even if we missing nowadays, we have created the most of the working experience. At 41, people are the matters you recall much more than at 25, when it’s all about winning. The viewpoint has modified radically.”

The Canadians capitalized on a missed ultimate shot by Shuster in the 2nd-to-previous end that turned a one-point edge into an insurmountable 8-5 guide.

Canada’s third-to last shot in the 10th stop cleared all of the American rocks out of the concentrate on spot, leaving no likelihood for the U.S. to tie the match. Shuster quickly conceded.

“You could argue that fourth place is the worst spot to complete in the tournament. And I still adore my staff, and I love curling,” Hamilton claimed.

“It would have been great to acquire a medal. But at the close of the day, these fellas are nevertheless my boys,” he said. “When I get again to the States, I’m still going to go to their residence for a barbecue and a beer, and we’re going to get prepared for the next Quad and see what we received.”