Olympian Skates His Final Race

Olympian Skates His Final Race


Save Story
Leer en espaƱol

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

Shelley Osterloh reporting Tonight will bring an end to the athletic career of one of the stars of the 2002 Olympic Games.

Three time Olympian Casey FitzRandolph won gold in the 500 meter race in Salt Lake City. Tonight he competes in the 1000. While he'd like to win another medal, its okay if he doesn't. That attitude is part of what makes him such a strong competitor.

Olympian Skates His Final Race

Casey FitzRandolph, Speedskater: "I think that, to be honest with you, a key in why I won my gold medal in 2002 because I was.. Like I say I was in a good place mentally and I was very okay with where I was at regardless of how I finished on the ice. "

Even as a child, Casey FitzRandolph said he was a perfectionist. He had to learn that it was okay to fail once in a while as long as you learned from your mistakes. He says keeping life in perspective helps relieve pressure and stress.

Casey FitzRandolph, Speedskater: "You've still got family and friends that love you back home, or in the stands. So go out there and have fun, skate your best race and focus on what you're doing and don't worry about the outcome."

Another key to success for FitzRandolph: The Cheetah-- the fastest animal on earth.

Casey FitzRandolph, Speedskater: "But also when they are not on the prowl on the hunt they are resting. So I would be the cheetah, just lounging around conserving energy not doing much at all when I didnt need to be.. But then of course go on the hunt when the gun goes off. "

Casey FitzRandolph --- the three time Olympian -- is in the hunt again, this time for a second gold medal. He says he feel confident, prepared and relaxed but still knows it may take some good luck.

Casey FitzRandolph, Speedskater: "If you do everything that's right within your power and the things that aren't in your power go right as well, then you succeed, and if they don't then you don't. 9:36. But that's what you get when you're in a sport where's there's an Olympic games every 4 years and that's what people key in on.

Watch FitzRandolph's final race tonight. His toughest competion may be his teammates -- gold medalists Joey Cheek and Chad Hedrick, who has something of a rivalry with Shani Davis.

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

UtahOlympics

STAY IN THE KNOW

Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Newsletter Signup

KSL Weather Forecast

KSL Weather Forecast
Play button