Dan Jansen

Dan Jansen is a former speed skater and four-time Olympian whose career is remembered as much for perseverance as for athletic achievement. Born in West Allis, Wisconsin, Jansen became one of the world's premier sprint speed skaters, winning seven overall World Cup titles, two World Sprint Championships, and more than 40 World Cup races.

Jansen's Olympic career was marked by extraordinary disappointment. At the 1988 Calgary Olympics, his sister Jane died of leukemia just hours before his first race. Jansen fell in both the 500- and 1,000-meter events. He continued competing at the 1992 Olympics but again failed to win a medal.

His story finally reached its remarkable conclusion at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. After falling short in the 500 meters, Jansen won the 1,000 meters in a world-record time of 1:12.43, earning the Olympic gold medal that had eluded him throughout his career. During his victory lap, he carried his young daughter, Jane, named after his late sister.

Jansen retired from competitive skating later that year and went on to work as a television commentator and motivational speaker. He also established the Dan Jansen Foundation, which supports leukemia research, families affected by cancer, and youth sports programs.