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Last season was a season of recovery for Jeremy Wotherspoon, world record holder in the 500m. At the first World Cup of the season he fell and broke his left arm in several places, and consequently he was forced to focus his attention on his rehabilitation, instead of being able to use the past season to fine-tune his skating for the upcoming Olympic Games. Eventually, Wotherspoon did not manage to return to international competition before the season ended, but he is doing well now in terms of his health and his overall fitness is back to being as good as ever.

By Jolanda Abbes

How are you doing now in terms of your health? Are you fully recovered or does your arm still trouble you in any way?

“In terms of health I am doing well. My arm still gives me a bit of trouble when I do a lot of upper body work, it gets sore quite easily and it takes a while for the soreness to go away. It does not affect my skating movement or feel though, so I never think of it while I'm skating. Other than that there are little things here and there that are a normal part of full-time training.”

And how are you doing in terms of speed skating and training for the upcoming season?

“Skating is coming along a little slower than usual, I haven't felt like myself on the ice and my equipment has needed some changes, but I'm getting that all sorted out now. Physically I am very good, my overall fitness is as good as ever.”

How do you look back on the Olympic Games you participated in and what is the one thing/most memorable moment that sticks out for you?

“I look back on the three Olympics I've been to quite differently. One thing they all have in common though is I could say that I was a little too focused on the outcome each time.

The thing that sticks out most in my mind is standing up after falling in Salt Lake City and starting to skate, then realizing it was over for me, and being extremely angry. Looking back it's hard to feel angry about it, and I wonder a bit why I was mad at the time, what's the point of being angry about it.”

What would you consider to be the highlight for you at the last Olympics?

“The highlight of the last Olympics was that my girlfriend achieved her goal of qualifying for the Games in the 500m, and being at the Olympics together.” 

And what was the biggest disappointment for you at the last Olympics?

“The biggest disappointment for me was being too focused on what the media and others were saying about me and expecting of me. It took me out of the moment and I became too sensitive to everything that I didn't feel good about and got lost in my worries and stress. I was unable to enjoy myself and enjoy watching my teammates achieve their goals.”

Who would you consider to be the greatest Olympic speed skater ever?

“I can't answer that without knowing the person behind every skater.”

How do you look forward to the fact that the Olympics will practically be in your own backyard next year? Does that fact create extra pressure or do you think it will give the Canadian athletes a significant home advantage?

“Any extra pressure that I put on myself comes from me feeling like I have to win instead of wanting to win. I have felt that pressure at the other Olympics that I have been to, it has been more of an Olympic feeling than a home track feeling. I deal with it by reminding myself of what I want on a regular basis and knowing how I will achieve it. There is also a home field advantage of knowing the track and the city where the Games will be, and having the home country cheering for us.”

Can you describe what the Olympics mean to you?

“For me it has always been the greatest event in the world.”

Photo credits: DESGphoto/Lars Hagen

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