Amy Peterson facts for kids
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| Born | November 29, 1971 (age 53) Maplewood, Minnesota, U.S. |
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| Height | 5 ft 4 in | |||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Amy Peterson (born November 29, 1971) is a famous American short track speed skater. She is known for competing in five Olympic Games. Amy started her Olympic journey when short track speed skating was a new sport. She competed from 1988 all the way to 2002.
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Amy's Early Skating Days
Amy Peterson was born in Maplewood, Minnesota. She went to Johnson Senior High School in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She graduated from high school in 1990.
First Olympic Experience
Amy qualified for her first Olympic Games in 1988. She was only 16 years old then. The 1988 Winter Olympics were held in Calgary. At that time, short track speed skating was a demonstration sport. This means no medals were given out.
Winning U.S. Titles
In 1989, Amy won several U.S. speed skating titles. She won the 1,000 meters and 1,500 meters races. She also placed third in the 500 meters event. These wins showed her amazing talent.
Overcoming Challenges
Amy faced a tough health challenge before the 1998 Winter Olympics. She had a condition that made her very tired. This illness affected her performance for a while. She went from being the top U.S. woman to eighth place.
A Strong Comeback
Despite her health issues, Amy worked hard to recover. She successfully qualified for the 1998 Winter Olympics. These Games were held in Nagano, Japan. Her comeback showed her incredible determination.
Later Career Highlights
Amy continued to be a top skater in the early 2000s.
Dominating U.S. Championships
In 2000, Amy won all four distances at the U.S. short track speed skating championships. She won the 500, 1,000, 1,500, and 3,000 meter races. She also qualified for the 2000 Winter Goodwill Games.
Setting Records
By June 2000, Amy held American records. She held records in the 1,000, 1,500, and 3,000 meters races. In 2001, she won her eighth U.S. women's championship. This was a huge achievement! By the end of the 2000–2001 season, Amy was ranked ninth in the world. She was also in the top ten for every distance.
The 2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics were held in Salt Lake City, Utah. This was a very special moment for Amy.
Carrying the Flag
Amy Peterson was chosen to carry the U.S. flag. She led the American team at the opening ceremony. This is a huge honor for any athlete. She had planned for these Olympics to be her last.
Final Olympic Performance
In her last Olympic appearance, Amy did not win a medal. This was true for both her individual races and the team relay. After the 2002 Games, Amy tried to qualify for a sixth Olympics in 2005. However, she did not make the team.
Family of Skaters
Amy comes from a family of talented speed skaters.
- Her mother, Joan Sandvig, was a national-level speed skater.
- Her uncle, Gene Sandvig, competed in speed skating. He was in the 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games.
- Gene's daughter, Susan Sandvig, also competed internationally in speed skating.
