Dan Jansen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Dan Jansen

Personal information
Born	June 17, 1965 (1965-06-17) (age 60) West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height	1.88 m
Weight	83 kg
Sport
Country	United States
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)
Medal record Men's speed skating Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1994 Lillehammer 1,000 m World Sprint Championships Bronze 1985 Heerenveen Sprint Silver 1986 Karuizawa Sprint Gold 1988 West Allis Sprint Silver 1992 Oslo Sprint Gold 1994 Calgary Sprint

Daniel "Dan" Erwin Jansen (born June 17, 1965) is a famous retired American speed skater. He was a world champion in sprint speed skating many times. Dan was a favorite to win at the Winter Olympics for years. He finally won a gold medal in his very last race, the 1,000 meters, at the 1994 Winter Olympics. This win ended a long wait for an Olympic medal.

Early Life and Skating Start

Dan Jansen grew up in West Allis, Wisconsin. He is the youngest of nine children. His older sister, Jane, inspired him to start speed skating. When he was 16, Dan set a junior world record in the 500-meter race. He competed in his first Olympics in 1984. At the 1984 Winter Olympics, he finished 16th in the 1,000 meters and fourth in the 500 meters.

Olympic Journey and Challenges

In 1988, Dan became the World Sprint Champion. He was a top favorite for the 500- and 1,000-meter races at the 1988 Winter Olympics. But just hours before his 500-meter race, Dan learned that his 27-year-old sister, Jane, had passed away from leukemia.

Despite the sad news, Dan decided to compete. He fell during the 500-meter race. Four days later, in the 1,000-meter event, he started very fast. But he fell again near the end of the race. Dan left the 1988 Olympics without any medals. However, he received the U.S. Olympic Spirit Award for his brave efforts.

At the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, Dan tried again. He finished fourth in the 500 meters and 26th in the 1,000 meters. He still did not win an Olympic medal.

Finally, Gold!

Between the 1992 and 1994 Olympics, Dan was the only skater to finish the 500 meters in under 36 seconds. He did this four times! In 1994, he won his second World Sprint Championship. He arrived at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer ready for his final chance at an Olympic medal.

In the 500-meter event, he finished eighth. For the 1,000-meter race, he worked with coach Peter Mueller. Peter had won the same event in the 1976 Winter Olympics. Dan skated amazingly well. He finished first, winning his first and only Olympic medal! He also set a new world record.

After his big win, 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 added to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.

Life After Skating

Dan Jansen has two daughters, Jane (named after his sister) and Olivia. In 2004, he was inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame.

Today, Dan Jansen works as a speed skating commentator for NBC. From 2005 to 2007, he was also the skating coach for the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team.

To honor his sister Jane, Dan started the Dan Jansen Foundation. This foundation works to help fight leukemia. He is also an honorary board member of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

Records and Achievements

World Records

Dan Jansen set eight world records during his career:

Personal Best Times

These are Dan Jansen's best times in different speed skating distances:

See also

In Spanish: Daniel Jansen para niños