Now that the 17-day Pyeongchang Winter Olympics are over, here are some of our popular stories from the games:

Yuzuru Hanyu defends figure skating title

Before, during, and after the games, superpstar Yuzuru Hanyu literally stole the show as well as the hearts of fans in Japan and around the world with his magnificent comeback from a serious ankle injury, winning gold to become the first back-to-back men's figure skating champion in 66 years.

Olympics: Absent Hanyu putting blood and tears into Olympic comeback

Olympics: Hanyu will be 100% ready to defend title, says coach Orser

Olympics: As promised, Hanyu steals Olympic show with gold

Olympics: Back-to-back Olympic champ Hanyu's next goal is quad axel

Olympics: Hanyu not to carry flag at closing ceremony, worlds in doubt


Ester Ledecka surprises with multi-discipline success

Czech snowboarder and Alpine skier Ester Ledecka pushes the limits at the Pyeongchang Games, beating the defending Olympic champion to win gold in the women's Alpine super-G (a discipline in which Ledecka was ranked 43rd) and then bagging another gold medal in the snowboard parallel giant slalom.

Olympics: Skiing snowboarder shocks Pyeongchang to win super-G gold

Olympics: Possibilities are limitless for reluctant superstar Ledecka


Mikaela Shiffrin wins giant slalom gold but flops in title defense

"Somebody has to be in fourth place, it's OK," said Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States, who won the gold medal in the women's giant slalom but failed to defend her slalom title the next day, just missing the podium by finishing fourth.

Olympics: Shiffrin wins giant slalom gold

Olympics: Ando fails to finish in 1st slalom run, Shiffrin flops


Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir melt hearts with sensational ice dance gold

Canadian ice dancers Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, the three-time world champion pair who came out of retirement in late 2016, win gold with a season-best free routine to the soundtrack from Moulin Rouge. "The gold medal is the cherry on the cake," Virtue said.

Olympics: Canadian skating pair Virtue and Moir win ice dance gold


Girl power brings Japan success on the speed skating track

Of Japan's 13 medals at the Pyeongchang Olympics, six were won by the speed skating team. Nao Kodaira clinched gold in the 500 meters and Nana Takagi in the mass start, while Takagi and her sister Miho and Ayano Sato also grabbed the team pursuit gold medal in Olympic record time. Miho Takagi also won silver and bronze in the 1,500 and 1,000 meters, respectively.

Olympics: Japan wins gold in women's speed skating team pursuit

Olympics: Dutch coach credited with Japan women's speed skating success

Olympics: Nana Takagi emerges from sister's shadow with mass start gold

Olympics: Women's pursuit team gold icing on the cake for Miho Takagi

Olympics: Japan's Kodaira wins women's 500 gold in speed skating


Small teams make big headlines too

From Julian Yee, who made history as Malaysia's first Olympic figure skater, to Pita Taufatofua, the Tongan cross-country skier who made a spectacular shirtless entrance at the games' opening ceremony in subzero temperatures, athletes from countries with smaller delegations also gained attention at Pyeongchang.

Olympics: Crowdfunding helps Yee make Malaysian figure skating history

Olympics: Tonga's Taufatofua to try for 3rd turn at Tokyo 2020