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Shelley Osterloh ReportingNo one ever said getting to the Olympics is easy -- the training, the travel, the stiff competition. Those same elements can easily put a strain on one's marriage. So who better to understand the challenges than another athlete? Such is the case for speedskaters Jen Rodriguez and KC Boutiette who are sharing these Olympics together.
Jen Rodriguez and KC Boutiette have lived in Summit County, Utah for six years. Though they originally came to Utah to prepare for the 2002 games, they stayed because they love the community and access to training facilities.
They met when they were both competing in in-line skating competitions. Back in 2001, Jen told us it was her boyfriend, now husband, who encouraged her to try to switch to the ice.
Jennifer Rodriguez, 2001 U.S. Speedskater: " He's the one who got me into speed skating and I think without him, it would have been a lot harder. He was always there, especially from the beginning. I couldn't skate, I hated speed skating, I hated the cold. I hated everything about it."
But that changed and they found they both shared an Olympic dream. Now they sport matching Olympic tattoos. Even today, Jen says, she depends on KC.
Jen Rodriguez: "He doesn't have to baby me as much as I needed to be babied before. Doesn't have to walk me through everything, but he is still my skate mechanic and like, I don't even touch my skates. He still takes care of everything. So I wouldn't even know what to do if he wasn't around."
KC and Jen say they keep each other motivated.
KC Boutiette: "Her hard work and determination is what I feed off the most. And it reflects on a lot of the things I do because of how hard a worker and how focused she is."
Jen Rodriguez: "He really takes a huge part in my success, has huge part in my success."
Torino is likely to be their last Olympic Games together. They are hoping someday to have children. KC is 35-years old now and competing in his fourth Olympics. Jen is 29, competing in her third Games. They're two remarkable athletes whose love has helped them succeed.
KC Boutiette: "I mean it's a difficult lifestyle to live, and we are fortunate that we can stay together and it's nice."
KC has completed his Olympic events. You can bet he'll be cheering for Jen when she competes tonight in the 1500 meter race.
