Shani Davis Shines, Wins Gold in 1000m
By Benjy Lipsman in News on Feb 20, 2006 7:17PM
While the Winter Olympics have been filled with disappointing showings by American medal hopefuls, Chicago-area speed skater Shani Davis lived up to his advance billing by taking the gold in the 1000m long track speed skating event. The 2005 All Around World Champion, he's the favorite to win gold in the 1500 meter and expected to do well in the 5000 meter event.
With this gold, he becomes the first African-American to win an individual gold medal in the Winter Olympics. Even before winning the gold, he's garnered lots of attention for his background. Shani Davis, who grew up in Hyde Park, rose to the top in a sport dominated by suburban white kids. Shani was introduced to the roller rink by his mother Cheri at an early age. Her job as a legal assistant for Fred Benjamin -- a long-time speed skaking official -- lead her to a speed skating club in Evanston where Shani showed promise and developed into an elite speed skater.
While Shani finally achived the pinnacle of his sport, his actions following his gold medal win sparked controversy. He was not very talkative with Melissa Stark in an NBC interview following the medal ceremony and he declines to partake in the usual post-medal media parade that includes an in-studio interview with Bob Costas and an appearance on the "Today Show."
Some believe his lack of media friendliness was a result of critical comments made on-air by Bob Costas after Davis chose not to participate in the new team persuit event. Expected to medal in the event if Davis participated, the team wasn't even close. Shani said he chose not to participate in the event so that he could focus on his individual events.
The flap over his participation in the team persuit event is just his latest spat with the U.S. Speedskating Federation. His mother has also caused quite a stir in recent years that's lead to a strained relationship between the Davises and the U.S. Speedskating Federation. Cheri Davis is notorious for sending out emails blasting those she feels are against Shani. In one such dispute between the Davises and the Federation concerns conflicting sponsorships that have forced Shani to train in Canada after the Federation cut his funding.
Chicagoist is elated to see a local boy bring home the gold -- especially one who wears a White Sox hat post-race. We wish him well in his remaining events and hopes he can add another medal or two to his collection. And keep on wearing the Sox cap! Their champion attitude seems to be rubbing off!
Image via Yahoo!News