Winter Olympics Speedskating 2014: Athletes to Watch in Long-Track
The United States has had a long history of success in long-track speedskating. Eric Heiden and Bonnie Blair's accomplishments in the 1980 and 1994 Olympic Games, respectively, set the table for others to follow in their successful footsteps.
In 2006 and 2010, Shani Davis won the gold medal in the 1,000 meters. He also captured the silver in those two Olympiads in the 1,500-meter event.
As the Sochi Games approach, Davis is undoubtedly the face of American speedskating in 2014. His quest for a third straight Olympic gold medal in the 1,000 meters and his first in the 1,500 meters will be heavily covered.
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Jerry Hinnen of CBS Sports breaks down Davis' potential impact in Sochi:
"Given that no man had ever defended the 1,000-meter Olympic title before Davis did it in Vancouver, yes, a third straight win for Davis in Sochi would be unprecedented as far as speed skating goes ... but it would also make him the first American man to win gold in the same event in three straight Winter Games in any sport.
Add in a potential sixth career Olympic medal -- quite possibly gold -- in the 1,500, and Davis would leave what's likely his final Games as one of the most decorated American Winter Olympians ever.
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In a Q&A with ESPN.com's Wayne Drehs, Davis was asked what will make his third Olympic experience different from the previous two. He said:
"I've learned a great amount -- how to prepare to be the best I can be, getting to the Olympics and being my best there, rather than being awesome in the beginning of the season and not being at my best at the Olympics. It's just trial and error, gaining experience. You learn how to do everything you have to do to execute on those given days.
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Davis is one of those athletes who simply has a magnetic presence when he's performing. His grace on the ice resonates with almost anyone who can appreciate elite-level athletics.
The 1,000-meter competition begins on Feb. 12 and the 1,500 meters commences on Feb. 15.
Davis is the man for America in Sochi, but he isn't the only athlete to watch in long-track speedskating. Here are two other speedskaters primed to make headlines.
Heather Richardson
The 2010 Vancouver Olympics were rough for Richardson. She didn't place in the top five in any event. With that painful and disappointing experience behind her, Richardson is now one of the United States' brightest hopes in the women's 500 meters and 1,000 meters.
Richardson also races the 1,500 meters, but it is clearly her weakest event of the three.
Hoping to exorcise the demons from Vancouver, Richardson's quest to make her mark in Sochi will be one of the more compelling stories of the Winter Games.
Sven Kramer
After a coaching mishap cost Sven Kramer a gold medal in the 10,000-meter race during the Vancouver Olympics, he is focused on capturing the top podium spot in that event in Sochi.
The Dutch skater did win gold in the 5,000 meters in Vancouver, but he could further assert his dominance in the longer-distance runs in the sport by winning the 10,000-meter race.
In Vancouver, Kramer's coach Gerard Kemkers waved the skater into an illegal lane change that cost him the gold medal. It's tough to lose such an important race on a technicality. It's probably even harder to have to wait four years for a shot at redemption.
Kramer's time has come. We'll have to see if he is able to capitalize. The 10,000-meter competition begins on Feb. 18, and the 5,000 meters takes place on Feb. 19.
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