The sports storylines that could define the Beijing Olympics for Canadians

Imagine the life of an athlete preparing for the Beijing Olympics at this very moment.

The lingering threat of COVID-19 leaves open the possibility the Winter Games don't happen as planned. Meanwhile, infection could possibly prevent you from making it to Beijing — and even if you do, it's tough to predict how quickly your body will recover.

Still, it's the Olympics — a once-in-four-years opportunity to cement yourself among the all-time greats in your sport. And for many, once in a lifetime.

And so the focus must remain on the field of play. For Canada, there are plenty of storylines worth watching between Feb. 2, when competition begins, and Feb. 20.

WATCH | The sports storylines you should know for Beijing:

Here's everything you should know:

The COVID cloud still lingers. The only spectators allowed at events are domestic Chinese citizens. That means no international fans, including family and friends of myriad athletes. The pandemic already knocked NHL players out of the Olympics. All involved with the Games — athletes, coaches, support staff, and media — will be restricted to a "closed-loop system" of competition venues, training centres, living spaces and transportation. And with the Games coming quickly, there's growing concern among athletes about what a positive test could mean for participation.

Redemption is on the line in curling and women's hockey. Canada was shut out of medals in Pyeongchang in the two traditional events of men's and women's teams, though the mixed doubles tandem of John Morris and Kaitlyn Lawes won gold in that event's Olympic debut. Prior to 2018, no Canadian men's or women's rink had ever missed the podium. Past old medallists Jennifer Jones (2014) and Brad Gushue (2006), who each won their Olympic trials in November, return for Beijing and should be unaffected by the pressure, but an early misstep or two could trigger panic faster than usual. For years, Canadians were warned that the rest of the curling world was catching up to them — now it's time to respond.

WATCH | Jones clinches spot in Beijing:

WATCH | Gushue books ticket to Olympics:

Meanwhile, the women's hockey team settled for silver in 2018 after falling in a shootout to the U.S., but plenty of players remain from the 2014 champions, including OT hero (over and over and over again) Marie-Philip Poulin, who leads a team looking to reassert its dominance following its 2021 world-championship victory.

A friend turns foe in bobsleigh. Bobsledder Kaillie Humphries won gold for Canada at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics and reached a third consecutive podium by taking bronze in 2018. But after a dispute with Bobsleigh Canada Skeleton, she left to compete for the U.S. and was recently granted citizenship. She'll now compete in red, white and blue alongside multisport athlete Lolo Jones in the two-woman event, as well as solo in the monobob, a discipline making its Olympic debut. And some of her main competition will come from former Canadian teammates Cynthia Appiah and Christine De Bruin.

WATCH | Humphries edges Appiah at World Cup in Germany:

Canada's figure skaters and speed skaters are headed in opposite directions. The figure skaters were among Canada's greatest successes in Pyeongchang, with two gold and two bronze. But after the retirement of nearly the entire team, including legendary ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, the Canadian program lacks star power. The best podium hope may be Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, who look to follow in Virtue and Moir's footsteps.