Denny Morrison facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Denny Morrison

Denny Morrison at the 2013 World Single Distance Championships in Sochi.
Personal information
Born	(1985-09-08) September 8, 1985 (age 39) Chetwynd, British Columbia
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	80 kilograms (176 lb; 12 st 8 lb)
Sport
Country	Canada
Sport	Speed skating
Medal record Men's speed skating Representing  Canada Olympic Games Gold 2010 Vancouver Team pursuit Silver 2006 Turin Team pursuit Silver 2014 Sochi 1000 m Bronze 2014 Sochi 1500 m World Single Distance Championships Gold 2008 Nagano 1500 m Gold 2012 Heerenveen 1500 m Silver 2007 Salt Lake City 1000 m Silver 2007 Salt Lake City Team pursuit Silver 2009 Vancouver 1000 m Silver 2011 Inzell Team pursuit Silver 2015 Heerenveen 1500 m Silver 2015 Heerenveen Team pursuit Bronze 2007 Salt Lake City 1500 m Bronze 2008 Nagano 1000 m Bronze 2009 Vancouver 1500 m

Denny Morrison is a famous Canadian speedskater born on September 8, 1985. He comes from Fort St. John, British Columbia. Denny is an Olympic champion! He won a gold medal as part of Canada's men's team in a race called the team pursuit. He also won a silver medal in the same event at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Denny won his first individual Olympic medal in Sochi. He earned a silver medal in the men's 1000 meter race. This was special because his teammate, Gilmore Junio, gave up his own spot so Denny could compete. Denny had fallen during the national tryouts and didn't qualify at first. He then won another individual medal at those games, a bronze in the 1500 meter race.

With four Olympic medals in total, Denny Morrison holds the record for the most medals won by a Canadian male long track speedskater. He shares this amazing record with Gaétan Boucher. Denny is best known for his middle-distance races, like the 1000 meter and 1500 meter events. He once held the world record for the 1500 meter race. His time of 1:42.01, set in 2008, is still the Canadian record for that distance.

Denny also did very well in junior and senior world championships. He finished 4th in the Junior World Allround Championships in 2004 and 2005. In his first senior World Allround event in 2006, he placed 5th. He has won twelve medals at the World Championships, including two gold, six silver, and four bronze.

Denny Morrison's Speed Skating Career

Early Olympic Success

At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, Denny Morrison won a silver medal. He was part of the Canadian men's speed skating pursuit team. Individually, he also won medals at a World Cup event in Turin during the 2005–06 season. He earned a silver in the 1500 meter race and a bronze in the 1000 meter race.

In 2007, Denny won a gold medal in the 1000 meter event at the World Cup finals in Calgary. He set a new Canadian record with a time of 1:07:24. This was even better than his idol, Jeremy Wotherspoon's record. That same weekend, Denny also won a bronze medal in the 1500 meter event.

World Championship Achievements

Denny also competed in the 2007 World Single Distance Speed Skating Championships. He had great results, winning three medals. He took home a bronze in the 1500 meter race and a silver in the 1000 meter race. Both times, he finished behind Shani Davis.

In the team pursuit event, Denny and his teammates Arne Dankers and Justin Warsylewicz set a new best time. They broke the old team pursuit world record. However, a Dutch team later beat their time, so Canada earned 2nd place.

Denny Morrison (far right) competes in the team pursuit with Lucas Makowski and Jay Morrison at the 2009 World Single Distance Championships.

In 2008, Denny did even better at the World Single Distance Championships in Nagano, Japan. He won a bronze medal in the 1000 meters. Then, he won the 1500 meter race, taking home the gold medal. A week later, he set a new world record in the 1500 meters at the Olympic Oval in Calgary. His time was 1:42.01, beating the old record.

Vancouver 2010 and Beyond

Denny competed at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. He was expected to win many medals in his events. Even though he was competing at home, he didn't win an individual medal. His best finish was ninth in the 1500 meter race.

However, he did win a gold medal in the team pursuit. He won this with his teammates Lucas Makowsky and Mathieu Giroux. After the Olympics, Denny thought about retiring but decided to keep skating. He later won a silver medal with his team pursuit team at the 2011 World Single Distance Championships.

In 2012, Denny was very motivated and won his second World Championship title, again in the 1500 meter race. His 2013 season started well with a win at the first World Cup event in Heerenveen, Netherlands. He was leading the 1000 meter points total. Unfortunately, Denny got injured while training in Fernie, British Columbia, breaking his tibia (a bone in his leg). At that time, he was leading the 2012–13 ISU Speed Skating World Cup.

Sochi 2014 Olympic Games

Denny had to recover from his injury to qualify for the Sochi Olympics. He made it for the men's 1500 meter race. But in the 1000 meter race, he fell and couldn't qualify for one of his best events. Denny had two team pursuit medals but really wanted an individual Olympic medal.

His teammate, Gilmore Junio, made an amazing gesture. He gave up his spot in the 1000 meter race so Denny could compete. At the 2014 Winter Olympics, Denny won a silver medal in the 1000 meter race. He was only 4/100ths of a second behind the winner. After the race, Denny thanked Gilmore first, saying, "I have to thank my teammate Gilmore Junio because without him none of this would have been possible."

After his silver medal, Denny competed in his planned 1500 meter event. He took the lead for a while. Eventually, other skaters, like Poland's Zbigniew Bródka, took over. Denny ended up in third place, winning a bronze medal. This gave Denny his fourth Olympic medal, tying him with Gaétan Boucher for the most medals by a Canadian male long track speedskater.

After Sochi: Challenges and Comebacks

The 2015 World Single Distance Speed Skating Championships brought more success for Denny. He won two silver medals: one in the 1500 meter race and another in the team pursuit with Ted-Jan Bloemen and Jordan Belchos. Denny was excited about the team's silver, saying it was "just the beginning for us, on the road to the 2018 Olympics."

However, Denny faced some tough challenges. In May 2015, he fractured his femur (a leg bone) in a motorcycle accident. He had to have a steel rod put in his leg permanently. Just eleven months later, in April 2016, he announced that he had a stroke. This happened while he was on a long bicycle ride.

PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics

Despite these serious health issues, Denny Morrison worked incredibly hard to recover. He successfully qualified to compete for Canada at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. This was his fourth time competing at the Olympics, showing his amazing determination.

Personal Life and Education

Denny Morrison is married to fellow speedskater Josie Spence. After his skating career, Denny returned to school. He studied at The University of Calgary, earning degrees in Psychology and Anthropology. He was then accepted into The University of Alberta’s Medical program in 2022.

Denny Morrison's Records

Personal Best Times

World Records Set by Denny Morrison

Source: SpeedSkatingStats.com

See also

In Spanish: Denny Morrison para niños