Dan Jansen

About

American speed skater who won the 1994 Olympic gold in the 1,000 meters after many personal and career losses.

Before Fame

His sister, Jane, a speed skater, introduced him to the sport.

Trivia

He learned that his sister had died of leukemia shortly before he was set to compete in a 1988 Winter Olympics competition; in spite of this, he still carried on and was given the U.S. Olympic Spirit Award for his courage.

Family Life

He married Karen Palacios in 2000.

Associated With

He and Bonnie Blair both became world-famous American speed skaters.