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DAN JANSEN
OLYMPIC SPEEDSKATING CHAMPION
1994 Olympic gold medallist Dan Jansen is a symbol of strength, hard work and perseverance. He first captured attention during the 1988 Winter Olympiad. Hearts went out to him when the world learned that his sister, whose last words were ones urging him to victory, had died mere hours before his first race. He announced that he wanted to win as a tribute to her and as he stepped onto the ice, we cheered a little louder than normal. When he fell – not once, but twice – we felt his pain as if it were our own.
After the 1988 Olympics, letters poured in from fans worldwide, President Reagan invited him to the White House, and the U.S. Olympic Committee honored him with the Olympic Spirit Award. The speed skating champion embodies the competitive spirit, and his story inspires us to reach for our own personal “gold”.
Jansen continued to train and in 1989, he skated a personal best in the 500m, earning a silver medal at the Sprint Championships and two silvers at the World Cup. The following year, he won two silvers at the World Cup and this time, earned a gold at the Sprint Championships. The winning streak continued in 1991, when he won two World Cup gold medals.
In preparation for the 1992 Olympics in Albertville, France, he set a U.S. Track Record at the U.S. Trials, again, won two gold medals in the World Cup, and skated his career fastest 500m, breaking the world record. But again, the Olympic gold eluded his grasp. During his final chance in the 1994 Olympic games Dan told himself to relax and have fun. His performance dazzled the spectators with a world record and an Olympic gold medal in the 1000m event. As he took his victory lap, there wasn’t a dry eye in the arena.
Dan’s record-setting performances as winner of more than 30 World Cup races, more than 50 World Cup medals, and winner of 20 World Championship medals, combined with his inspiring positive outlook, has attracted sponsors as well as fans. He does marketing endorsements for Glaxo Wellcome, Swiss Army Watches, CBS Sports, America’s Health Network and Nissan/National Geographic Earth 2U. From 1994-1998 he was a CBS Sports on-air personality and is currently a member of the Board of Directors for Special Olympics International. Since winning the gold, this avid golfer with a 12 handicap, has delivered over 300 motivational speeches and has been featured in such magazines as Newsweek, People, Rolling Stone and TV Guide.
Among numerous awards and honors he has received throughout the years, in 1995, Dan was awarded the Amateur Athletic Union’s James E. Sullivan Award, presented annually to the outstanding athlete in the U.S. who exhibits the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism. In honor of his sister, the Dan Jansen Foundation was established, contributing funds for Leukemia research, youth sports, and educational programs.
The youngest of nine children born to Harry and Gerry Jansen, a retired police officer and a retired nurse, Dan is a first class competitor. He is also a man who knows about dreaming big and the work, positive attitude, and strength it takes to make those dreams come true. As a speaker, he uses his story to inspire others to turn their dreams into reality.
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