Brittany Bowe Makes Debut In Speed Skating Event At Sochi
Florida native Brittany Bowe was making her Olympic debut in the 500 meters speed skating event at Sochi on Tuesday, with her family there supporting her.
It was not a great showing in the grand scheme of things — Bowe finishing in 13th place — but for the 25-year-old, it was the accomplishment of a lifetime.
Brittany Bowe hails from Ocala in central Florida, and her family said she had dreams of being an Olympian since she was a little girl.
Women’s speed skating has gone through a revival in recent years, specifically in the 500 meters which no US skater has won since Bonnie Blair won her third straight gold at the Norway Winter Games in 1994.
Brittany Bowe is a basketball star — at Florida Atlantic University — turned speed skating champion with an intensity that allowed her to qualify for the Sochi Winter Games.
Her family made it to Sochi in time to see her compete on Tuesday’s 500 finals.
Brittany Bowes mom, Debbie, is very proud of her daughter, “I don’t think it gets bigger than this,” she said, while her equally proud father, Mike, added, “I don’t think you can really predict how you’re gonna feel but it gives you a lump in your throat just knowing that she’s an Olympic athlete.”
Along with teammate Heather Richardson, Bowe has an illustrious history to emulate after the US reigned supreme — between 1972 and 1994 — winning five 500s in that time period with Anne Henning, Sheila Young, and Bonnie Blair.
Brittany Bowe and Heather Richardson are not only teammates, but share a place in Park City, Utah, where they have become the best of friends.
“We’re relaxed around each other,” says Richardson. “We live with each other and just hang out. We’re just like family. Of course we both want to win but we just go out and skate our own races each time.”
.@TBNSully #Sochi2014: Speedskater Brittany Bowe’s Olympic dream took 4 years of hard work. http://t.co/tq8SVur3Qu pic.twitter.com/5qaFa0NOpj
— The Buffalo News (@TheBuffaloNews) February 7, 2014
Brittany Bowe’s big break came last year at a World Cup meet in Germany where she won a gold medal in the 1,000 meters.
During this season, she has amassed six medals, including gold and silver in Utah where she set a world record in the 1,000 (1:12.58) and an American record in the 1,500 (1:52.45).
“After my performance in Salt Lake City I was, you know what, I can get on that podium,” Brittany Bowe said. “I want a podium at the Sochi Games.”
Even though she didn’t make the podium in the 500, Brittany Bowe is still a favorite to medal in the 1000 meter speed skating event at Sochi on Thursday.
[Image via NBC News 13/Twitter]
