U.S. Short Track team 'ready for anything'

By Maria Pia Beltran, AIPS Young Reporter - Italy

SOCHI, February 4, 2014 - The men and women of the U.S. Short Track were presented to the press in a single session on Tuesday in Sochi. The speed skating team consists of Emily Scott, two-time medalist JR Celski, Jessica Smith, Alyson Dudek and Jordan Malone, the "hero" for his young generation of fellow teammates. 

Jessica Smith, US Short Track Olympian

SOFT ICE

One of the hot topics for the skaters, who begin the preliminary races next Monday, 13:45 local time at the Iceberg Skating Palace, is the ice.

“It is pretty soft here - we are at sea level, so in Salt Lake it was better,” comments 23-year-old J.R. Celski. “We are competing in the same venue as figure skating and the organizers tend to cater to them. But we are prepared for anything they throw us.”

The soft ice will make the lives of figure skaters easier in terms of jumping, but could really affect the performances of the speed skaters. What evens out the playing field is that, all teams will be skating on the same ice. 

Jordan Malon, the team veteran, mentioned the positive influence that eight-time Olympic medalist Apolo Ohno continues to be to the new team. “We have a positive team going into these Games. Apolo Ohno is the reason I started skating in 2002. Every time we step onto the ice, he will be there with us - says the athlete from Texas and two-time Olympian. “A lot of us are staying in contact with Apolo, we text back and forth and he gives us advice through Facebook and phone calls.”

Even though the legend has left the sport, he will still be on the ice as commentator for NBC TV Channel: “It's a treat to have someone from the United States here,” he said.

OLYMPIC EXCITEMENT 

All the athletes present at the first press conference before the opening ceremony had only the best to say about their welcome in Sochi. The proximity between the sport venues seems to be the highlight from their point of view: “We will be able to follow other competition for the first time and we can easily walk or rent a bike to get to the field,” several of them admitted. “For me the success of these Games is reflected in being the best skater I can be, not necessarily concerning medals, but by pushing the limits of my sport,” stated J.R. Celski. However, we know that this guy, the first man in history to dip under the wall of 40 seconds in the specialty of 500m, will definitely be going for a medal in Sochi.

Alys Dudek, US Short Track Athlete

SOCIAL INVOLVEMENT 

Second- time Olympian Alyson Dudek, 23, talked about her support of the anti-bullying movement campaigning against bullying in all areas of life: “I joined the anti-bullying movement two years ago. I have experienced bullying both personally and witnessed it too. It's important to spread the word of being nice. Bullying happens both in elementary schools and to adults at work. I hope to change the lives of the children and adults and make a positive impact on many people,” said Dudek. Alyson launched a fun proposal at the elementary school of her hometown, Hales Corners, WI. The “Nail project” involved getting all the girls to paint their fingernails blue: “It's a kind of pact to be nice each other, support each other, I would be happy to talk to schools and after this Games definitely I want get more involved in the campaign.”