U.S. Jewish athletes take gold, silver

Two Jewish athletes from the United States brought home medals from the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Steve Mesler, the last of the U.S. Jewish athletes to compete, helped the United States capture the gold medal in the four-man bobsled finals on Feb. 27. It was the first gold for a U.S. bobsled team in 62 years.

Mesler, 31, a former decathlete at the University of Florida and a native of Buffalo, N.Y., was competing in his third Olympics. His performance at the Winter Games was witnessed by his parents, Lois and Ben Mesler.

Earlier in the games, Jewish ice dancer Charlie White, 22, of suburban Detroit claimed a silver medal in ice dancing along with partner Meryl Davis.  — jta