Shani Davis

Memorable sporting achievement

Winning a gold medal in the 1000m at the 2015 World Single Distances Championships in Heerenveen, Netherlands. (isu.org, 16 Jun 2017; Athlete, 26 Feb 2016)

Reason for choosing this sport

He initially tried roller skating but quickly became bored as he would get in trouble for skating around the rink too fast. At age six a coach suggested he switch to ice skating. Shortly after his mother started working for a lawyer, whose son was involved in speed skating at an elite level. These influences led him to switch, and he joined the Evanston Speed Skating Club the same year.

Awards and honours

He received the Oscar Mathisen Award in 2005 and 2009, and the Major Taylor Award in 2006. (shanidavis.org, 20 Oct 2012) In 2005 he was named US Speed Skating Athlete of the Year. (US Speed Skating, 18 Apr 2005)

When and where did you begin this sport?

He began roller skating at age two in Chicago, IL, United States of America. He took up skating on ice at age six at the Evanston Speed Skating Club, also in Chicago.

Sporting philosophy / motto	"Just do it." (Athlete, 26 Feb 2016)
Other information	RETIREMENT In November 2019 he announced his retirement from the sport. He planned to take up a coaching role with Chinese elite junior skaters in the lead-up to the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. "It was just enough. I had a long career, and there's other things that I wanted to do with my life. Skating will always be my first love, so I'm happy I'm able to stay close to it." (olympics.nbcsports.com, 24 Nov 2019) WORLD CUP POINTS RECORD After finishing second in the 1000m at the 2016 World Cup event in Heerenveen, Netherlands, he passed Jeremy Wotherspoon's tally of 13009 points to become the all-time leading points scorer at World Cup events. "I did not expect to ever pass Jeremy. He is a class apart." (schaatsen.nl, 13 Dec 2016) EARLY DAYS Growing up in a single parent family in Chicago, IL, United States of America, he jokes that his quest for speed began when he had to run away from tougher kids. Getting into speed skating also brought him some unwanted attention. "It takes a lot of courage to step out and do something different, especially if it's not popular. People are always going to find something negative to draw out of something you love. All my friends made fun of me, but I found ways to make fun of them. Now, they're like, 'I can't believe you stuck with it, man. We used to give you so much crap'." (jsonline.com, 02 Nov 2005)
Hero / Idol	US basketballer Michael Jordan, Ivorian footballer Didier Drogba. (Athlete, 26 Feb 2016)
Injuries	He was affected by a groin injury during the 2012/13 season. (shanidavis.org, 01 Oct 2013)
Other sports	In 2004 he became the first US skater to be on both the short track and speed skating national team for a world championships. He achieved the same feat in 2005. (shanidavis.org, 23 May 2005)

www.shanidavis.org/
twitter.com/ShaniDavis

Most influential person in career	His mother. (Athlete, 26 Feb 2016)
Milestones	At the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver he became the first male speed skater to win two Olympic gold medals in the 1000m, after he also claimed victory at the 2006 Games in Turin. (nytimes.com, 18 Feb 2010; SportsDeskOnline, 15 Dec 2020)