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Dan Jansen
Jansen Dan,portret (2).JPG
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:

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

Personal Best Times

These are Dan Jansen's best 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

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Daniel Jansen para niños

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