I’ve had the honor and immense pleasure of skating with many of the speed skaters that will be competing in the 2010 Winter Olympics. There aren’t many sports in which an amateur can train right alongside the best of the best, but speedskating is one of them. I’ve gotten to know a bunch of them, including Shani Davis, Nancy Swider-Peltz, Jr, Mitch Whitmore, Jilleanne Rookard, and others, and I can honestly say that they’re friendly and humble and fun people.

     I wish them all great success. They train tirelessly, sacrifice much, and challenge themselves day in and day out. Congrats to them for what they’ve already accomplished and what is to come!