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Shelley Osterloh ReportingTwo Olympic champions from 2002 have chosen to retire from sport after these Olympic Games. Casey FitzRandolph and Derek Parra are both gold medal stars from the Salt Lake games who moved to Utah to live and train.
In 2002, Derek Parra won silver and then gold in the 1500 meter race. His tears of joy touched the hearts of many. Casey FitzRandolph was the all-American boy whose winning smile was a memorable image after 500 meter sprint. Both chose to continue skating for another four years with the hopes of winning again in Torino, but it didn't happen.
Derek Parra US Speedskater: "I'm done with the Olympics. Actually, I thought about doing the old Rulon Gardner thing and leaving my skates on the ice there."
Casey FitzRandolph, US Speedskater: "The Olympics are a wonderful thing and everything that the Olympics stand for, and that's phenomenal. But the frustrating part is that's what you are judged on and that's one day out of every four years. So there are a lot of great athletes again that deserve medals that go home without them. And I'm not talking about myself as much as these other guys. Cause I was fortunate to win one. A lot of people never get the first one.
And while their lives have been blessed, neither is quite sure what the future holds for them.
Derek Parra: "I've been involved in skating most of my life and it's just going to be hard leaving."
Casey Fitz Randolph: "If you have faith and work hard, things usually work out."
And both say while they are proud of what they've accomplished, they hope to be remembered as more than just speed skaters.
Casey FitzRandolph: "Because sport in the Olympics is a wonderful thing, but they only last so long and then you've got the rest of your life to live right. And you go home to friends and family that have always been there for you and will always be there for you if you stay true to who you are."
Derek Parra: "I'd rather be remembered for being a nice guy than being a great skater, because skating fades. But I think your true character shines through the rest of your life."
They hope what made them succeed on the track will make them successful in whatever their lives brings in the future. Casey FitzRandolph says he and wife Jen will likely move back to Wisconsin, his home state, and start a family. Parra says he hopes to stay in Utah and is looking for job opportunities, perhaps with Home Depot.
Both say they are grateful to the many who have supported and helped them along the way, especially their sponsors.
