Blair predicts 12 medals for U.S. speedskating
Former Olympian believes team is the deepest ever for the United States
(AP) WEST ALLIS, Wis. - Five-time gold medalist Bonnie Blair believes the U.S. Olympic speedskating team could win as many as a dozen medals at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy.
Blair, now a member of U.S. Speedskating’s Board of Directors, said the team has the talent to top its haul of 11 medals at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.
“Our goal was to come back and win at least 12 medals in Turin,” Blair said Thursday.
Her comments came during a news conference at the Pettit National Ice Center on the eve of four days of qualifying races for the long track World Cup teams. Although the Olympic teams won’t be chosen until December, the best skaters, barring injury, should make both the World Cup and Olympic squads. The 2006 Winter Olympics begin Feb. 10.
Blair believes the team can better Salt Lake City’s performance because it has so many good skaters.
“I think this is the deepest Olympic team that we’ll probably ever have,” she said.
All eight medalists have returned, including long track skaters Derek Parra (1,500 meters gold and 5,000 silver), Casey FitzRandolph (500 gold) and Chris Witty (1,000 gold) as well as short track star Apolo Anton Ohno (1,500 gold and 1,000 silver).
USS News Pressrelease:
Bonnie Blair Hails U.S. Speedskating Team as ‘Deepest Ever’
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (October 20, 2005) -- Six-time Olympic speedskating medalist Bonnie Blair said Thursday at a press conference that this year’s U.S. speedskating team is one of the most powerful she’s seen in ages.
“This is the deepest team I’ve ever seen the U.S. field,” Blair commented on the talented national squad.
“After a successful and unprecedented 11 medals in Salt Lake City, our national team is even faster and stronger this year,” Blair said. “All eight of our medalists from 2002 are still skating and we have strong skaters like Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick adding even more power.”
Six long track skaters and two short track skaters medaled for the U.S. in Salt Lake City.
Blair pointed out that in the men’s sprint distances, skaters like Casey FitzRandolph (2002 SLC gold, 500m), Kip Carpenter (2002 SLC bronze, 500m), Joey Cheek (2002 SLC bronze, 1000m) and Shani Davis (2005 World Allround Champion) are all medal contenders for the 2006 Torino Olympic Games.
“These skaters are getting better everyday just by challenging each other, training together and pushing each other,” Blair said.
“Our distance skaters like Olympians KC Boutiette and Derek Parra have the added power of Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick making head ways,” Blair said.
“Our goal in Torino is to win 12 medals,” she said. “And with our skaters, it’s possible.”
U.S. long track skaters are currently in Milwaukee for the 2005 Fall World Cup Qualifier that will take place October 21-24 at the Pettit National Ice Center.
Former Olympian believes team is the deepest ever for the United States
(AP) WEST ALLIS, Wis. - Five-time gold medalist Bonnie Blair believes the U.S. Olympic speedskating team could win as many as a dozen medals at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy.
Blair, now a member of U.S. Speedskating’s Board of Directors, said the team has the talent to top its haul of 11 medals at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.
“Our goal was to come back and win at least 12 medals in Turin,” Blair said Thursday.
Her comments came during a news conference at the Pettit National Ice Center on the eve of four days of qualifying races for the long track World Cup teams. Although the Olympic teams won’t be chosen until December, the best skaters, barring injury, should make both the World Cup and Olympic squads. The 2006 Winter Olympics begin Feb. 10.
Blair believes the team can better Salt Lake City’s performance because it has so many good skaters.
“I think this is the deepest Olympic team that we’ll probably ever have,” she said.
All eight medalists have returned, including long track skaters Derek Parra (1,500 meters gold and 5,000 silver), Casey FitzRandolph (500 gold) and Chris Witty (1,000 gold) as well as short track star Apolo Anton Ohno (1,500 gold and 1,000 silver).
USS News Pressrelease:
Bonnie Blair Hails U.S. Speedskating Team as ‘Deepest Ever’
MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (October 20, 2005) -- Six-time Olympic speedskating medalist Bonnie Blair said Thursday at a press conference that this year’s U.S. speedskating team is one of the most powerful she’s seen in ages.
“This is the deepest team I’ve ever seen the U.S. field,” Blair commented on the talented national squad.
“After a successful and unprecedented 11 medals in Salt Lake City, our national team is even faster and stronger this year,” Blair said. “All eight of our medalists from 2002 are still skating and we have strong skaters like Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick adding even more power.”
Six long track skaters and two short track skaters medaled for the U.S. in Salt Lake City.
Blair pointed out that in the men’s sprint distances, skaters like Casey FitzRandolph (2002 SLC gold, 500m), Kip Carpenter (2002 SLC bronze, 500m), Joey Cheek (2002 SLC bronze, 1000m) and Shani Davis (2005 World Allround Champion) are all medal contenders for the 2006 Torino Olympic Games.
“These skaters are getting better everyday just by challenging each other, training together and pushing each other,” Blair said.
“Our distance skaters like Olympians KC Boutiette and Derek Parra have the added power of Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick making head ways,” Blair said.
“Our goal in Torino is to win 12 medals,” she said. “And with our skaters, it’s possible.”
U.S. long track skaters are currently in Milwaukee for the 2005 Fall World Cup Qualifier that will take place October 21-24 at the Pettit National Ice Center.
