Evan Lysacek Wins Gold

Latest News Updates Evan Lysacek Wins Gold, Evan Lysacek stood atop the podium, looking dazed as the first notes of the “The Star-Spangled Banner” floated through the arena.

When the guy standing next to him is skating, the medals ceremony usually has a different soundtrack.

Lysacek became the first U.S. man to win the Olympic gold medal since Brian Boitano in 1988, shocking everyone – including himself – by upsetting defending champion Evgeni Plushenko on Thursday night. Plushenko, retired the past three years, returned with the sole purpose of making a little history of his own with a second straight gold medal.

“I saw that American flag go up,” Lysacek said, “and I couldn’t believe it was for me.”

Someone else was thinking the same thing.

The last to skate, Plushenko held up both index fingers when he finished, as if to say, “Was there ever any question?” As it turned out, yes.

When Plushenko’s scores were posted, someone in the arena screamed, “Evan Lysacek has won the gold!” Backstage, surrounded by longtime coach Frank Carroll and pairs gold medalists Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo, Lysacek threw back his head in disbelief and utter elation.