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Show A-12 Wed/Thurs/Fri, February 12-14, 2014 The Park Record Davis chases speedskating history Olympic champion eyes three-peat at 1,000 meters By PAUL NEWBERRY Associated Press Great Primary or Rental Bank owned home in beautiful Summit Park. Four bedrooms, two and one half baths, 2885 square feet. Newer construction for the area. Nice, clean finishes with lots of space. Great location, 5 minutes to skiing/shopping in Park City and 20 minutes to Salt Lake. Hurry, this one won't last. Offered at $449,900 Mike Mazzone, Broker Call (435) 901-0300 mike@parkcityrealtygroup.com parkcityrealtygroup.com SOCHI, Russia - Shani Davis glided around the ice Friday at Adler Arena - hands clasped behind his back, lost in his thoughts as he prepared for a run at Olympic history. He looked downright content, a speedskater who knows his legacy is secure no matter what happens in Sochi. "It still really hasn't hit me that it's the Olympics," Davis said during a lengthy chat in the mixed zone after his brief workout. "I'm still just on autopilot, man." At age 31, he'll be competing in his third Winter Games at this resort city along the Black Sea. ASSOCIATED PRESS United States long-track speed skater Shani Davis glides around a turn as he practices in Adler Arena for the 2014 Winter Olympics. Already a two-time champion in the 1,000 meters, Davis can become the first male speedskater to pull off a three-peat in the same event. He wants the gold. Badly. Yet it won't ruin his life if he doesn't get it. "You train really hard. You try really hard to win," Davis said. "If you win, great. If you don't, you tried your best. You really can't beat yourself up about it. There are so many people that train all their lives to win something or even just to get here, and a lot of people come away emptyhanded. I'll say it again: I'm very blessed to have the things that I have." What he has is impressive. In addition to four Olympic medals - Davis also claimed silver in the 1,500 at both Turin and Vancouver - he's one of only two men to win world championships in both sprint and all-round. The other is Eric Heiden, who skated in an era with less specialization. "That's an incredible achievement," said Gerard Kemkers, a coach for the powerful Dutch team. "I think Shani is one of the greatest Olympians in American history." Davis didn't always embrace that role, shying away from any attempts to turn him into a house- hold name in the U.S. While his achievements were duly appreciated in the speedskating-crazy Netherlands, he was perhaps best-known in his own country for a feud with teammate Chad Hedrick. The dispute turned especially nasty after a race in Turin where they both won Olympic medals, prompting Davis to storm angrily off the podium, muttering "same ol' Chad" on his way out the door. "America still thinks in terms of Bonnie Blair and Dan Janzen and Eric Heiden," Kemkers said, referring to three U.S. greats who came before Davis. "There has been quite a bit of controversy surrounding Shani because he stood up for things, which didn't help his P.R. It overshadowed a little bit the legacy he has as a skater." No longer. With Hedrick in retirement, Davis has become the undisputed leader of the U.S. team, even agreeing to skate team pursuit at the Olympics for the first time. Away from the ice, he's been much more eager to take a starring role at Sochi, taking part in countless promotions for NBC's coverage of the Winter Games back home. A sometimesprickly relationship with the media has been completely amiable in the lead-up to Sochi. "It comes with some responsibilities. It's a light I haven't been in before. But I embrace it," Davis said. "I'm happy to be considered one of the faces (of the games) with all the other Winter Olympians who are here and held in that category. I guess I'm in good company. I can't complain about it." Speedskating began Saturday with the 5,000 meters, an event that Davis skated at the last two Olympics but dropped from his program this time. His first event was Monday, the 500. He finished 24th, but that was merely a tune-up for his two signature events. His eyes are focused firmly on Wednesday's 1,000, but he's looking at it through the eyes of an Olympic veteran. "I have the experience, so it doesn't hit me the same way it did a few years ago," Davis said. "I'm really content. I know what I'm here to do. I'm trying my best to do that. In due time, we'll see what happens." The 1,500 follows on Feb. 15. Davis refused to play favorites with his two signature events, even though he has come up just short of gold in the longer race at two straight Olympics. "Those are my babies, man. I can't love one more than the other," he said, breaking into a big smile. "I've got two hands for two medals." RIDE OF A LIFETIME COMET BOBSLED Take a ride down the 2002 Olympic Sliding Track on a Bobsled! Up to 80 mph + 15 curves in less than 60 seconds. Reservations Required > 435.658.4206 or Online! * Must meet age (+16), weight (100+ lbs) and health requirements. EXPERIENCE WINTER THRILLS OLYMPIC HERITAGE GOLD PASSES Take an interpretative guided tour (daily at 11 am, 1 pm + 3 pm; $10 adults or $7 kids/seniors) VENUE OPEN DAILY 10 AM TO 6 PM FREE ADMISSION + PARKING Explore this unique facility steeped in Olympic legacy, home to Nordic Ski Jumping, Bobsled, Skeleton + Luge during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. plus two museums to experience on your own. Stock up on Team USA + Sochi Gear at the Gift Shop! 435.658.4200 N Take a combo ride! Save when you book a Rocket Skeleton Ride with a Comet Bobsled Ride. Reservations Required > 435.658.4206 U TAH O LYMPIC L EGACY . 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