Dan Jansen
Encyclopedia
Daniel Erwin Jansen (born June 17, 1965) is a former speed skater
, best known for winning a gold medal in his final Olympic race after suffering through years of heartbreak. He graduated from West Allis Central High School
.
Inspired by his sister Jane, Dan Jansen took up speedskating while growing up in Wisconsin. He set a junior world record in the 500 meter race at age sixteen, and finished sixteenth in the 1,000 meters and fourth in the 500 meters at the 1984 Winter Olympics
.
At the 1988 Winter Olympics
, Jansen – having become World Sprint Champion
one week earlier – was a favorite for the 500 and 1,000 meter races, having improved in the years between Olympics, while overcoming a case of mononucleosis
in 1987. However, in the early hours of the day of the race, he was informed that Jane was dying of leukemia
. He spoke to his sister, who could not respond. Later that morning, he was informed that she died. He competed that night in the 500 meters, but fell early in the race. A few days later in the 1,000 meter race, he began with record-breaking speed but fell again. He left the 1988 Olympics with no medals, but became the recipient of the U.S. Olympic Spirit Award for his valiant efforts through tragedy.
Jansen arrived at the 1992 Winter Olympics
as a favorite yet again. A year before, he had set a world record in the 500 meters. But disaster struck again, as he finished fourth in the 500 meters and twenty-sixth in the 1,000 meters. Jansen left the Olympic Games again with no medals.
In 1994 Jansen won his second World Sprint Championships
title, and he arrived at the 1994 Winter Olympics
for one final attempt at an Olympic medal. Between the 1992 and 1994 Olympics, he was the only man to break 36 seconds in the 500 meters, doing so four times in those years. Yet in the Olympic 500 meter race, he finished eighth – and he went into the 1,000 meters assuming he would end his career without an Olympic medal. However, coached by the 1976 Olympic Champion at that same distance, Peter Mueller
, he won the race to capture his first and only Olympic medal of his career, setting a new world record in the process. He dedicated the gold medal to his late sister, then took one final victory lap around the rink with his one-year-old daughter, Jane. For his efforts, Jansen received the 1994 James E. Sullivan Award
and was chosen by his fellow Olympians to bear the U.S. flag at the closing ceremony of the 1994 Winter Olympics. He was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame
in 1995.
Jansen was inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame
in 2004. Today, Jansen is a speed skating commentator for NBC
and from 2005-2007 he was the skating coach for the Chicago Blackhawks
of the National Hockey League
. He appeared in a commercial for Visa, directed by Emmy nominee Brent Roske, during the 2010 Vancouver Games
. During those games, Jansen shared his experiences from his sister's death during the Calgary Olympics with figure skater Joannie Rochette
, sending her an e-mail after hearing that her mother suffered a fatal heart attack.
He has also set up the Dan Jansen Foundation in memory of his sister, with the purpose of fighting leukemia. He is also a supporter of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
where he is an honorary board member. .
Speed skating
Speed skating, or speedskating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. Types of speed skating are long track speed skating, short track speed skating, and marathon speed skating...
, best known for winning a gold medal in his final Olympic race after suffering through years of heartbreak. He graduated from West Allis Central High School
West Allis Central High School
West Allis Central High School is a public high school in West Allis, Wisconsin, located on West Lincoln Avenue and South 84th Street. The school boundaries are the City of West Allis, Village of West Milwaukee and portions of New Berlin and Greenfield...
.
Inspired by his sister Jane, Dan Jansen took up speedskating while growing up in Wisconsin. He set a junior world record in the 500 meter race at age sixteen, and finished sixteenth in the 1,000 meters and fourth in the 500 meters at the 1984 Winter Olympics
1984 Winter Olympics
The 1984 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIV Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from 8–19 February 1984 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Other candidate cities were Sapporo, Japan; and Gothenburg, Sweden...
.
At the 1988 Winter Olympics
1988 Winter Olympics
The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988. The host was selected in 1981 after having beat Falun, Sweden and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
, Jansen – having become World Sprint Champion
World Sprint Speed Skating Championships
The World Sprint Speed Skating Championships are annual speed skating championships. The championships are held over a two day period, with the skaters racing one 500 m and one 1,000 m each day...
one week earlier – was a favorite for the 500 and 1,000 meter races, having improved in the years between Olympics, while overcoming a case of mononucleosis
Infectious mononucleosis
Infectious mononucleosis is an infectious, widespread viral...
in 1987. However, in the early hours of the day of the race, he was informed that Jane was dying of leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
. He spoke to his sister, who could not respond. Later that morning, he was informed that she died. He competed that night in the 500 meters, but fell early in the race. A few days later in the 1,000 meter race, he began with record-breaking speed but fell again. He left the 1988 Olympics with no medals, but became the recipient of the U.S. Olympic Spirit Award for his valiant efforts through tragedy.
Jansen arrived at the 1992 Winter Olympics
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
as a favorite yet again. A year before, he had set a world record in the 500 meters. But disaster struck again, as he finished fourth in the 500 meters and twenty-sixth in the 1,000 meters. Jansen left the Olympic Games again with no medals.
In 1994 Jansen won his second World Sprint Championships
World Sprint Speed Skating Championships
The World Sprint Speed Skating Championships are annual speed skating championships. The championships are held over a two day period, with the skaters racing one 500 m and one 1,000 m each day...
title, and he arrived at the 1994 Winter Olympics
1994 Winter Olympics
The 1994 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 12 to 27 February 1994 in and around Lillehammer, Norway. Lillehammer failed to win the bid for the 1992 event. Lillehammer was awarded the games in 1988, after having beat...
for one final attempt at an Olympic medal. Between the 1992 and 1994 Olympics, he was the only man to break 36 seconds in the 500 meters, doing so four times in those years. Yet in the Olympic 500 meter race, he finished eighth – and he went into the 1,000 meters assuming he would end his career without an Olympic medal. However, coached by the 1976 Olympic Champion at that same distance, Peter Mueller
Peter Mueller (skater)
Peter Alan Mueller is a former speed skater and currently a speed skating coach....
, he won the race to capture his first and only Olympic medal of his career, setting a new world record in the process. He dedicated the gold medal to his late sister, then took one final victory lap around the rink with his one-year-old daughter, Jane. For his efforts, Jansen received the 1994 James E. Sullivan Award
James E. Sullivan Award
The James E. Sullivan Award, presented by the American Amateur Athletic Union , is awarded annually in April to "the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States". Often referred to as the Oscar of sports awards, it was first presented in 1930. The award is named for the AAU's founder and past...
and was chosen by his fellow Olympians to bear the U.S. flag at the closing ceremony of the 1994 Winter Olympics. He was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame
Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame
The Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame is a promenade in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, dedicated to honoring distinguished members of Wisconsin's sports history. New members are honored at a biennial banquet.-History:...
in 1995.
Jansen was inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame
United States Olympic Hall of Fame
The United States Olympic Hall of Fame is an honor roll of the top American Olympic athletes.The Hall of Fame was established by the United States Olympic Committee in 1979; the first members were inducted in 1983. Between 1992 and 2003, the Hall of Fame went dormant, with no induction of new...
in 2004. Today, Jansen is a speed skating commentator for NBC
Olympics on NBC
NBC Sports' coverage of the Olympic Games consists of broadcasts on the various networks of NBC Universal in the United States, including the NBC broadcast network, Spanish language network Telemundo, and many of the company's cable networks....
and from 2005-2007 he was the skating coach for the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
. He appeared in a commercial for Visa, directed by Emmy nominee Brent Roske, during the 2010 Vancouver Games
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
. During those games, Jansen shared his experiences from his sister's death during the Calgary Olympics with figure skater Joannie Rochette
Joannie Rochette
Joannie Rochette is a Canadian figure skater. She is the 2010 Olympic bronze medalist, the 2009 World silver medalist, the 2008 and 2009 Four Continents silver medalist, the 2004 Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, and a six-time Canadian national champion.-Personal life:Rochette was born in...
, sending her an e-mail after hearing that her mother suffered a fatal heart attack.
He has also set up the Dan Jansen Foundation in memory of his sister, with the purpose of fighting leukemia. He is also a supporter of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to multiple myeloma, an incurable but treatable blood cancer, which afflicts over fifty thousand Americans alone...
where he is an honorary board member. .
World records
Over the course of his career, Jansen skated 8 world records:| Distance | Result | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 m | 36.41 | 25 January 1992 | Davos Eisstadion Davos Vaillant Arena is an arena in Davos, Switzerland. It is primarily used for ice hockey and is the home arena of HC Davos. It holds 7,080 people, of which 3,280 are seated... |
| 500 m | 36.41 | 19 March 1993 | Calgary Olympic Oval The Olympic Oval in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a covered speed skating oval built for the 1988 Winter Olympics. It is the official designated training center for Speed Skate Canada and the Canadian National Speed Skating team. It is located on the University of Calgary campus... |
| 500 m | 36.02 | 20 March 1993 | Calgary Olympic Oval The Olympic Oval in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a covered speed skating oval built for the 1988 Winter Olympics. It is the official designated training center for Speed Skate Canada and the Canadian National Speed Skating team. It is located on the University of Calgary campus... |
| Sprint combination Samalog Samalog is a scoring system in speed skating. It is used in allround tournaments to convert results at various distances into points in order to determine an overall champion... |
145.580 | 20 March 1993 | Calgary Olympic Oval The Olympic Oval in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a covered speed skating oval built for the 1988 Winter Olympics. It is the official designated training center for Speed Skate Canada and the Canadian National Speed Skating team. It is located on the University of Calgary campus... |
| 500 m | 35.92 | 4 December 1993 | Hamar Vikingskipet Olympic Arena Vikingskipet , officially known as Hamar Olympic Hall , is an indoor multi-use sport and event venue in Hamar, Norway. It was built as the speed skating rink for the 1994 Winter Olympics, and has since also hosted events and tournaments in speedway, rally, association football, bandy, ice sledge... |
| 500 m | 35.76 | 30 January 1994 | Calgary Olympic Oval The Olympic Oval in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a covered speed skating oval built for the 1988 Winter Olympics. It is the official designated training center for Speed Skate Canada and the Canadian National Speed Skating team. It is located on the University of Calgary campus... |
| Sprint combination Samalog Samalog is a scoring system in speed skating. It is used in allround tournaments to convert results at various distances into points in order to determine an overall champion... |
144.815 | 30 January 1994 | Calgary Olympic Oval The Olympic Oval in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a covered speed skating oval built for the 1988 Winter Olympics. It is the official designated training center for Speed Skate Canada and the Canadian National Speed Skating team. It is located on the University of Calgary campus... |
| 1,000 m | 1:12.43 | 18 February 1994 | Hamar Vikingskipet Olympic Arena Vikingskipet , officially known as Hamar Olympic Hall , is an indoor multi-use sport and event venue in Hamar, Norway. It was built as the speed skating rink for the 1994 Winter Olympics, and has since also hosted events and tournaments in speedway, rally, association football, bandy, ice sledge... |
Personal records
| Distance | Result | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 m | 35.76 | 30 January 1994 | Calgary Olympic Oval The Olympic Oval in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a covered speed skating oval built for the 1988 Winter Olympics. It is the official designated training center for Speed Skate Canada and the Canadian National Speed Skating team. It is located on the University of Calgary campus... |
| 1,000 m | 1:12.43 | 18 February 1994 | Hamar Vikingskipet Olympic Arena Vikingskipet , officially known as Hamar Olympic Hall , is an indoor multi-use sport and event venue in Hamar, Norway. It was built as the speed skating rink for the 1994 Winter Olympics, and has since also hosted events and tournaments in speedway, rally, association football, bandy, ice sledge... |
| 1,500 m | 1:55.62 | 14 March 1993 | Heerenveen Thialf Thialf is an ice arena in Heerenveen, Netherlands. The stadium is used for long track speed skating, short track speed skating, ice hockey, figure skating, and non-sports events. The outdoor rink was opened in 1967, and the indoor stadium was opened in 1986. Several world records were set in the... |
| 3,000 m | 4:25.63 | 5 March 1983 | Sarajevo Olympic Hall Zetra Olympic Hall Juan Antonio Samaranch , also known as Zetra Ice Stadium and Zetra Arena, is an indoor multi-purpose arena in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina... |
| 5,000 m | 7:50.22 | 7 February 1982 | Inzell Eisstadion Inzell Eisstadion Inzell is a stadium located in Inzell, Germany, best known as a speed skating venue. It is an outdoor, artificial ice, rink, located 690 metres above sea level and has a capacity of 20,000 people... |