Dan Jansen is an American speed skater and Olympic gold medalist. He was born on June 17, 1965 in West Allis, Wisconsin and is the son of Harry and Gerry Jansen. His father was a speed skater who trained him from a young age.
Jansen won his first major speed skating event at age 14, when he won the 500-meter and 1,000-meter races at the 1979 Junior National Championships. In 1981, he made his first World Cup team and finished fourth in the World Allround Championships.
Jansen quickly became a favorite to win Olympic gold in 1988. He was favored to win the 500-meter race, but he fell during the race and finished 8th. After the race, Jansen was devastated and withdrew from the 1,000-meter event. He was determined to win a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Albertville, France.
Jansen skated a personal best in the 500-meter event, finishing fourth. The next day, he won the 1,000-meter race and earned his first Olympic gold medal. This feat made him the first American man to win an Olympic gold medal in speed skating.
Jansen went on to win a silver medal in the 1,500-meter event at the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. He also earned two gold medals at the 1994 World Sprint Championships.
Jansen retired from speed skating in 1995 after winning a bronze medal at the World Allround Championships. He was inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame in 2004.
Jansen has remained active in the world of speed skating. He is the founder of the Dan Jansen Foundation, which provides financial support to speed skating programs in the United States. He has also served as an analyst for NBC Sports, covering speed skating events at the 2010, 2014, and 2018 Winter Olympics.
Dan Jansen is a true American hero. He is an Olympic gold medalist, a beloved member of the speed skating community, and a champion for the sport. His determination, courage, and resilience will always be remembered.
