Don’t forget from Sochi: Ashley Wagner - the many faces of the Games

Every now and then, Olympic Talk will look back at athletes and/or stories who were memorable, even if they didn’t end up earning medals. As it turns out, some of the best stories don’t come with gold, silver or bronze.

U.S. figure skater Ashley Wagner’s Olympic appointment was controversial in some circles, but she skated well enough to justify her inclusion in many minds.

Her face rarely disappointed, though. This specific expression launched many memes:

10ThingstoSeeSports - Ashley Wagner, of the United States, waits for her results after competing in the women’s team short program figure skating competition at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, Pool, File)

AP

Wagner, 22, even embraced the memes on Valentine’s Day:

From Russia (kind of) with love...Happy Valentine's Day Twitter ! Xoxo😘 pic.twitter.com/QrhNNUdQ8M

— Ashley Wagner (@AshWagner2010) February 14, 2014

That wasn’t really a one-time thing, though, as she generally ranks as one of the most expressive athletes you’ll ever come across:

Ashley Wagner of the United States gestures as she waits in the results area after completing her routine in the women’s free skate figure skating finals at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Bernat Armangue

Ashley Wagner of the United States waits in the results area after completing her routine in the women’s short program figure skating competition at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

Bernat Armangue

competes in the Figure Skating Ladies’ Short Program on day 12 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on February 19, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Matthew Stockman

Wagner didn’t just express herself when seeing her figure skating scores, either, as she provided unusually candid play-by-play of her routine and also provided some very frank criticisms of the process following the Adelina Sotnikova - Yuna Kim controversy.

“People need to be held accountable,” Wagner said. “They need to get rid of anonymous judging. There are many changes that need to come to this sport if we want a fan base.”

Not many figure skaters describe their own eyes as “crazy” and are willing to change up their routine about a month before Olympic competition. Really, Wagner might just be one of a kind, which is while she should be remembered even without a medal.

... And if she has her way, she’ll get another chance.

.@AshWagner2010 stopped by after her free skate with this message for everyone back home: pic.twitter.com/inujUkPWGY

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 21, 2014

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