Shani Davis: Olympic Speed skater
SHANI DAVIS
Born:1982 - Chicago IL USA
Resides: Calgary AB Canada
World’s Highest Ranking: First
World Titles: 2005 World Allround Champion
2004 - 1500 meters World Single Distance Champion
Height: 6′2″
Weight: 185 lbs.
Shani Davis was born on Friday, August 13, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois. Raised by his mother, on the south side, he started roller-skating at local rinks at age two. At age three, Shani used to dart around the roller rink so fast that many times the skate guards would chase him just to ask him to slow down. Seeming to become bored with roller-skating, by age six, it was suggested by a coach that Shani switch to ice. Shortly thereafter, his mother started working for an attorney, Fred Benjamin, whose son, Jeff, just happened to be involved in speed skating at an elite level. It was at that time that Benjamin suggested that Shani give speed skating a try.
Shani joined the Evanston Speedskating Club at age six and within two months started competing locally. Though immediately taking to ice, at competitions Shani was generally more interested in running around with his competitors and playing video games than he was with competing. Nevertheless, by age 8, he was winning regional competitions in his age group and began hearing about the Olympic ideal from his Northbrook competitors and friends. Shani’s mother encouraged him to participate, and in an effort to build his endurance, woke him most mornings to run a mile on a track close to their home. As there were and still are no speed skating clubs in the inner city of Chicago, at age 10, Shani and his mother moved to the far north side of the city to be closer to the rink.
“My mom never thought of herself first, and I credit most of my success to her. She continues to manage my career and is always there for me.” (more…)
Congratulations on Winning the Gold !!!!
Comment by conni | February 19, 2006
Please email me, so I can let my students know, that your Gold Medal proves that All things are possible!
You are awesome. God bless you and your wonderful mother!
Comment by Joy Williams | February 19, 2006
I think it was VERY Un-American for him not to compete for the American Speed Skating Team. I would never buy any product he endorsed. Most people I have talked to feel exactly as I do.
Comment by terri roberson | February 20, 2006
Just skate and win. The rest of us should wait and hear the story later.
God Speed Shani!
Walt
Comment by G Walt | February 20, 2006
Mr,Shani Davis, Im so proud of you, you inspired me.
Comment by spacemanwalkth | February 21, 2006
Shani,
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Forget what these bigoted red necks are saying. I am so proud of you and your great accomplishments. Stand proud and close your eyes and ears to the naysayers. In America we are only needed if we can come to the aid of the golden white boy. One thing for sure he could not win without you. You kept your cool and I am so glad. If you would have said the same thing as hedrick you would have been nailed to the cross. Remember white people will always hate, us and everybody else as the sooner Black people learn that then then the sooner we will be able to move forward. Do not be judged by their backstabbing standards. Would hedrick have felt the same way if you had skated with the team….it’s a good thing you did not skate because now you see how the little worm really felt about you. God Speed Shani!
Comment by Suzanne Tyler | February 24, 2006
yea i just want to comprement u because you open our doors back up and i was to congraulate u for winnig the world chapion in speed skating
Comment by jeremy brown | February 26, 2006
Do not forget Mabel Fairbanks who starter it all. Plus and all the rest of the balck skaters who could not skate in the olympics becasue of color. Debi and
Sayra were never give the best score for their efforts.
Shani went. raced to gold and he is the best. Those who were the great white hope fell, stumbled and crashed and lost. The olympis coverage did not give enough air time to women sports. Count how many times NBC aired white mistakes and how many time the air Flowers and Shani wins. I give Shani three cheers to speak up about how he was treated by his so called team mate, who knew that Shani did not sign up to race prior to December. Therefore Shani did not let his team down. If Chad was so great he would have be far out in front and his team would have one. The time for giving glory to whites on the back of blacks is gone. Now they have to earn there glory just like we Afican American had to do living in the great land of the American Indians. I love America this is my home. If it was not so great people would not risk their lives to come here.
Comment by garden | February 27, 2006
Thank you, Shani, for making me proud to be an African-American. During this Black History Month, you have placed your name in the history books. How fitting.
Congratulations!!!
Comment by Renee Becker | February 28, 2006
I am working on a book with the stories of children brought up by a single parent. I would love a story.
Thank you
Robin
Comment by Robin Poses | March 5, 2006