Jessica Kooreman

Other information	RETIREMENT She retired from the sport after she competed at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang at age 34. "I know that I've been skating 32 years competitively and I haven't taken a season off between inline and ice. I've been on the international circuit since I was 12, so it's time for a rest. I wanted a gold medal at the Olympics but I started late and I gave it everything I had. Could I keep going? Do I feel like I'm burned out? No. I have loved speed skating. I have loved the competitiveness, but I'm ready for a family." She gave birth to her first son Ryker in January 2019, and her second son Lennon in October 2020. (Instagram profile, 09 Oct 2020, 10 Jan 2019; eu.freep.com, 01 Feb 2018) SKATING COUPLE Her husband Mike also competed in short track at international level. They met at a World Cup event in Russian Federation and married in 2015. He has worked as the programme leader for the US speed skating team. (nbc4i.com, 03 Oct 2017)
Hobbies	Watching movies, shopping, spending time with friends, playing golf, hiking, cooking. (nbcolympics.com, 20 Oct 2017; Facebook page, 07 Oct 2017)
Injuries	She tore the quad muscle in her thigh prior to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. She delayed a decision on whether to have surgery on the injury so she could compete at the Games. (ONS, 04 Feb 2014) She injured her left shoulder after falling at the 2007 World Inline Skating Championships in Cali, Colombia. She was forced to undergo surgery, which included inserting seven pins and a plate in her shoulder. (inlineplanet.com, 02 Feb 2009)
Other sports	She is an eight-time inline skating world champion, winning gold over a number of distances between 1999 and 2006. She has also represented the United States of America in speed skating at World Cup events. (SportsDeskOnline, 30 Oct 2015; inlineplanet.com, 02 Feb 2009)

Reason for choosing this sport

Her parents skated when they were younger and encouraged her to try inline skating. She switched to the ice because she wanted to compete at the Olympic Winter Games. She initially tried speed skating, but did not like the time trials so switched to short track.

Most influential person in career

Her husband, her parents. (nbcolympics.com, 20 Oct 2017; Athlete, 02 Feb 2017)

When and where did you begin this sport?

She began roller skating races at age two, and switched to the ice full-time in 2008.

Sporting philosophy / motto	"Go hard or go home." (Athlete, 02 Feb 2017)
Memorable sporting achievement	Placing fourth in the 1000m at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. (Athlete, 02 Feb 2017)
Hero / Idol	US speed skaters Jennifer Rodriguez and Bonnie Blair, US tennis players Venus Williams and Serena Williams. (Athlete, 02 Feb 2017; teamusa.org, Aug 2017; Athlete, 10 Feb 2013)

www.facebook.com/JessicaSmithUSA/
twitter.com/TheJessicaSmith
jessicaonice.com/

Famous relatives

Her husband Mike competed in short track at international level, including winning the 5000m relay at the 2004/05 World Cup event in Spisska Nova Ves, Slovakia. He has also coached the German national team. (nbcolympics.com, 20 Oct 2017; nbc4i.com, 03 Oct 2017; SportsDeskOnline, 12 Feb 2005)