This one's for the ladies: Twelve reasons to watch the 2014 Sochi Olympics

It's that time again, those glorious two weeks I wait for every two years - the Olympics!!! It's been (give or take) 1,073 days since the closing ceremonies of the last Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and about 543 days since the closing ceremonies in London. I'm ready for two weeks of skiing, skating, jumping, twirling, and sliding. I'm warming up my pipes to sing the National Anthem, and waiting for all the tear-jerking Bob Costas stories (I eat those things up with a spoon).

Every Olympics, my friends and I discuss the most important thing to female sports fans - who are the hottest male athletes, and when are their events? I've seen many lists going around the internet, from Cosmo to PopSugar, with many overlaps (hello Henrik Lundqvist!) and some that leave me shaking my head (Evan Lysacek? Sorry, but no.). So, as I did before the 2012 London Games - relive the 2012 list here - here is my list of the Hottest Olympic Athletes in Sochi, in no particular order:

Henrik Lundqvist, Sweden, hockey

Because... duh. Lundqvist may be the best-looking hockey player of all time, and coming from me that's quite a compliment. On the ice, he's arguably the best goalie in the world - as starting goalie for the NHL's glamour team, the New York Rangers, Lundqvist won the Vezina Trophy as the top goalie in the NHL in 2012. He's a three-time NHL all star and has been the Rangers' MVP every year since 2007, led Sweden to an Olympic gold medal in 2006 and in December 2013, the Rangers made him the highest-paid goalie in the NHL with a seven-year, $53 million contract extension. In addition, he's been named one of the best dressed men in the world by Vanity Fair, among other magazines, and he was one of People's 100 Most Beautiful in 2006. Oh - and he has an identical twin brother, Joel.

The puck drops on Henrik's Olympics Feb. 12, when Sweden takes on the Czech Republic.

Bode Miller, USA, downhill skiing

This one is a given. A staple on hottie lists since his Olympic debut in 1998, this New Hampshire native has a love-hate relationship with the media. An Olympic and World Championship gold medalist competing in his fifth Olympics, Sochi is likely the last hurrah for the handsome, laid-back 36-year-old. Still a top skier, he has a chance to medal in downhill - he is ranked second in the world, behind our next athlete...

Bode's likely final Olympics begin Feb. 9 with the men's downhill event.

Aksel Lund Svindal, Norway, downhill skiing

This Norwegian is a two-time overall World Cup champion (2007 and 2009), an Olympic gold medalist in Super G at the 2010 Winter Olympics, and a five-time World Champion in downhill, giant slalom and super combined. With his victory in the downhill in 2013, Svindal became the first male alpine racer to win titles in four consecutive world championships. Now for what we really care about - this viking is single! He recently broke up with his long-term girlfriend, American gold medal skier Julie Mancuso. We'll get our first glimpse of this hottie as he carries his national flag at the Opening Ceremonies - well done, Norway.

Aksel's Olympics begin Feb. 9 with the men's downhill event.

Steve Langton, USA, bobsled

I have to admit, this one is a bit biased, since I was friends with Steve in high school. That aside, no one can deny his rightful place on this list. A college track star at Northeastern, the Massachusetts native decided to "try" bobsled in 2007 - and hasn't looked back. This will be his second Olympics, and this time around he's part of the "Night Train," the sled driven by Steve Holcomb that won gold in Vancouver. The sled won gold at the 2012 World Championships, and Holcomb and Langton partnered to also win gold in the 2-man, as well. This freak athlete was named "The Most Powerful Winter Olympian" by Men's Health Mag, and after watching that video, I dare anyone to disagree. Not only a beast in the weight room, Steve also has a funny side, which you can see on his YouTube page with roommate John Daly. Go Steve!

Steve's Olympics take off Feb. 16-17 with the two man event, and continue Feb. 22-23 with the 4-man event.

Aleksander Aurdal, Norway, Freestyle Skiing

This high-flying Norwegian will compete in the "slopestyle" skiing event. He's not expected to medal, but will look pretty awesome flying through the air doing crazy tricks at high speeds. Bonus: this hottie has a big heart - he is a mentor for the Heroes of Tomorrow project in Norway, which aims to support and encourage young people with talent.

Aleks flips onto our screens Feb. 13 with the Men's Ski Slopestyle qualifications

Christopher Fogt, USA, Bobsled

People often mistakenly call athletes "heroes." However, in the case of Sgt. Christopher Fogt, the title is accurate. He is an incredibly accomplished athlete, including representing the USA in the 2010 Olympics, and, more importantly, a captain in the Army and a member of the Army's World Class Athlete Program. At Utah Valley University, Fogt was a track star, as two-year captain he set records in the 100m and 60m in the process ... oh, and had time to do ROTC *swoon*. Immediately following the 2010 Olympics, where he was part of the USA-2 that finished in 10th, he stepped away from bobsled for 18 months, much that on a year-long deployment in Iraq with military intelligence. Now he's back to compete in the 2014 games - this time as a member of the "Night Train" aka gold medal favorite. I mean, come on! If he doesn't make you proud to be an American, I don't know what does.

Sgt. Fogt's Olympics begin Feb. 22-23 with the 4-man event.

Tim Burke, USA, biathlon

First off - biathlon is a cross-country skiing and shooting competition. Second, Tim Burke is not only nice to look at, but America's first-ever legitimate chance at an Olympic medal in biathlon. The three-time Olympian won the silver medal in the 20 km Individual competition at the 2013 World Championships, the second American man ever to win a World Championship medal. But sorry ladies, this hottie is taken by a fellow biathlete - German Andrea Henkel, a four-time Olympic medalist.

Catch Tim Feb. 8 in the Men's Sprint 10km and Feb. 13 in the 20km.

Dylan Moscovitch, Canada, pairs figure skating

Kirsten Moore-Towers is a lucky girl to have such a studly partner! The pair placed second in the 2014 Canadian national championships and came in fourth at the 2013 World Championships. No, figure skating isn't the most masculine sport... but at least it's pairs, right?

Watch Dylan and Kristen in the pair's competition Feb. 11.

Bobby Brown, USA, freestyle skiing

Every little step I take... wait, wrong Bobby Brown. In 2010, this Bobby Brown became the first skier at the Winter X Games to win two golds in one trip - big air and slopestyle - vaulting him to freeskiing poster boy status. The four-time X Games gold medalist is hoping to add Olympic gold to his trophy case - I, for one, can't wait to watch him try.

Bobby's Olympics begin Feb. 13 in the slopestyle qualifications

Matt Margetts, Canada, freestyle skiing

This six-time X Games veteran is the first skier to land a double cork 900. He earned his first FIS World Cup medal in January 2014 when he won the bronze in Calgary as part of a podium sweep by the Canadian men. This laid-back hottie is known for his "infectious happy-go-lucky personality, A+ brand of humor and never-ending smile" - what a bonus.

Mark tries to impress us beginning Feb. 13 in the slopestyle qualifications

David Backes, USA, hockey

I went through the whole USA hockey roster, and, IMHO, Backes is the hottest on the team (followed closely by USA captain Zach Parise) . The forward is a native of Minnesota and went to my husband's alma mater, University of Minnesota-Mankato, which earns him a special place in my heart. Each season, the 6'3" captain of the St. Louis Blues is among the top in the league in +/-. This is his second Olympics, after winning a silver medal with USA at the 2010 Olympics. Off the ice, Backes and his wife (boo) are devoted to animal rescue and each have their own rescue organizations: Kelly's Kats and David's Dogs.

David and team USA skate into our hearts against Slovakia, Feb. 13.

Neville Wright, Canada, Bobsled

Apparently the thing to do after your track career is over is to try bobsled! Neville was  a sprinter since the age of seven. After failing to qualify for the Olympics in Beijing 2008 (missing by .02!!!), he decided to pursue another sport and in the summer of 2009 he tried bobsled and a year later was competing in the Olympics, where he was part of the 4th-place finishing Canadian 4-man team. He will compete in the 2- and 4- man in 2014, with his best shot at a medal coming in the 4. He looks more like a football player than a runner, and if I needed a bodyguard I'd love to have Neville protecting me!

Neville's Olympics begin Feb. 22 with the 4-man event.

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I don't know about you, but after looking at all these hot athletes, I'm even more excited for the Olympics! I just came across this link Gold Medal Abs and got even more excited! I hope these hotties all avoid the water in Sochi.

Make sure to vote on your favorite in the poll and let me know who you think I missed!

Hottie Results

As we said “goodbye” to the 2012 London Games, we also said farewell to our favorite sport of all – watching male athletes. As we began these Games with a list of our favorite athletes, we end by giving a roundup of how each of these fine-looking specimens fared in their respective events.

Ryan Lochte

The most decorated of our hotties, with five medals in London, including two gold. However, Lochte was hoping for these to be “his games” and his results, though exceptional, were below the level he was hoping. In his “signature event,” Lochte was a disappointing 3rd. However he beat Phelps in their first meeting, the 400IM, but later was defeated by the winningest Olympian of all time in the 200IM. But unquestionably, Lochte was the face of Olympic hotties in 2012.

2 gold – 400IM, 4x200 Free relay

2 silver – 200IM, 4x100 Free relay

1 bronze – 200 back

James Magnussen

A disappointing Olympics all-around for Aussies in the pool, but particularly for “The Missle,” who was much-hyped in the leadup to London, but came away with just two medals, none of them gold. But at only 21 years old, this hottie should be gracing us with his presence for years to come.

1 silver – 100 free

1 bronze – 4x100 medley

Andreas Thorkildsen

An injury-plagued 2012 did not bode well for Thorkildsen, the gold medalist in both Athens and Beijing, and I’m sorry to report that the Nordic God of Javelin failed to place in the Olympics, finishing 6th in the finals. But after researching him more this morning, I HAVE to give this hottie my gold medal. 

You won the gold in my book, Andreas.

Giuseppe Lanzone 

Participated in only one event, the men’s 8,  where the U.S. just narrowly missed the bronze medal, by .3 seconds.

Sam Mikulak

No one thought the U.S. men would finish the gymnastics without a team medal; even less thought they would leave London with just one medal overall, which was Danell Leyva’s All Around bronze. 

Troy Dumais

The 31-year-old diver finally medaled in his third Olympics, taking bronze in the men’s synchronized 3m springboard. He finished 5th in the individual 3m springboard.

Clemente Russo 

The second-seeded heavyweight boxer lived up to his ranking - Russo made it to the final against Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk, where he was defeated, relegating him to the silver medal. The more I looked at him, the more I wonder how a boxer can have a face like this… 

I guess the second-best boxer in the world doesn't get punched in the face too often. Thankfully.

 

 

Ricky Berens

Only swam one individual event, where he didn’t make the finals. But Berens was on two relay teams, and medaled in both - including one gold.

                1 gold – 4x200m Freestyle Relay

                1 silver – 4x100m Freestyle relay

Luca Marin

8th place in his only event, the 400m IM, 9.71 behind winner and poll-winning favorite hottie, Ryan Lochte.

Han Van Alphen 

A surprising 4th place in the decathlon. He won the final event, the 1500m, to move into 4th, just 10 seconds shy of the  bronze medal.

Pascal Behrenbruch

A disappointing 10th place in the decathlon.