Dan Jansen facts for kids
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | June 17, 1965 (age 60) West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S. |
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| Height | 1.88 m | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 83 kg | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country |  United States |
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| Sport | Speed skating | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turned pro | 1982 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retired | 1994 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 500 m: 35.76 (1994) 1000 m: 1:12.43 (1994) 1500 m: 1:55.62 (1993) 3000 m: 4:25.63 (1983) 5000 m: 7:50.22 (1982) |
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Medal record
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Daniel Erwin Jansen (born June 17, 1965) is a retired American speed skater. He was a world champion in sprint speed skating and a favorite to win at the Winter Olympics for many years. He finally achieved his dream by winning a gold medal in his last race, the 1,000 meters, at the 1994 Winter Olympics.
Contents
Early Life and Skating Start
Dan Jansen grew up in a big family as the youngest of nine children. His mother, Geraldine, was a nurse, and his father, Harry, was a police officer. Dan was inspired to start speed skating by his older sister, Jane.
When he was just 16 years old, Dan set a junior world record in the 500-meter race. He then competed in the 1984 Winter Olympics. There, he placed 16th in the 1,000 meters and fourth in the 500 meters.
Olympic Journey and Challenges
Becoming a World Champion
In 1988, Dan Jansen became the World Sprint Champion. This made him a top contender for gold medals at the 1988 Winter Olympics in the 500-meter and 1,000-meter races.
A Difficult Olympic Moment
Just hours before his 500-meter race on February 14, 1988, Dan learned that his 27-year-old sister, Jane, was very ill. She passed away shortly after. Despite this heartbreaking news, Dan chose to compete that afternoon. Sadly, he fell during the 500-meter race. Four days later, in the 1,000-meter event, he started with amazing speed but fell again near the end.
Dan left the 1988 Olympics without any medals. However, he was recognized for his courage and effort, receiving the U.S. Olympic Spirit Award.
Continuing the Dream
Dan Jansen kept training and competing. At the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, he finished fourth in the 500 meters and 26th in the 1,000 meters. He still did not win an Olympic medal.
In 1993, Dan set a new world record in the 500-meter event. This made him a strong favorite to win gold at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. Between 1992 and 1994, he was the only skater to complete the 500 meters in under 36 seconds, doing it four times. In 1994, he also won his second World Sprint Championship title.
Olympic Gold at Last
Dan arrived at the 1994 Winter Olympics ready for his final chance at an Olympic medal. In the 500-meter race, he finished eighth. For the 1,000-meter event, he was coached by Peter Mueller, who had won the same event in the 1976 Olympics.
Against all odds, Dan Jansen finished first in the 1,000-meter race! He won his first and only Olympic medal, and he set a new world record at the same time. This was a huge moment for him and for sports fans around the world.
After his victory, Dan received the 1994 James E. Sullivan Award. His fellow Olympians chose him to carry the U.S. flag at the closing ceremony of the 1994 Winter Olympics. In 1995, he was inducted into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.
Life After Skating
Dan Jansen has two daughters, Jane (named after his sister) and Olivia. He was inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame in 2004.
Today, Dan Jansen works as a speed skating commentator for NBC. From 2005 to 2007, he also coached the skaters for the Chicago Blackhawks in the National Hockey League.
In memory of his sister Jane, Dan started the Dan Jansen Foundation. This foundation works to help fight leukemia.
Records and Achievements
World Records Set by Dan Jansen
Dan Jansen set eight world records during his speed skating career:
| Event | Time | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 m | 36.41 | January 25, 1992 | Davos |
| 500 m | 36.41 | March 19, 1993 | Calgary |
| 500 m | 36.02 | March 20, 1993 | Calgary |
| Sprint combination | 145.580 | March 20, 1993 | Calgary |
| 500 m | 35.92 | December 4, 1993 | Hamar |
| 500 m | 35.76 | January 30, 1994 | Calgary |
| Sprint combination | 144.815 | January 30, 1994 | Calgary |
| 1000 m | 1:12.43 | February 18, 1994 | Hamar |
Dan Jansen's Best Personal Times
Here are Dan Jansen's fastest times in different speed skating distances:
| Distance | Result | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 m | 35.76 | January 30, 1994 | Calgary |
| 1000 m | 1:12.43 | February 18, 1994 | Hamar |
| 1500 m | 1:55.62 | March 14, 1993 | Heerenveen |
| 3000 m | 4:25.63 | March 5, 1983 | Sarajevo |
| 5000 m | 7:50.22 | February 7, 1982 | Inzell |
See also
In Spanish: Daniel Jansen para niños
