Speedskating team update, Shani Davis and another candid photo
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We’ve got some more updates for you all from the Salt Lake City events. Let’s start off with the updates on the team, itself. From US Speedskating (click on the “Current News” page):
Two more Olympic spots filled at the Utah Olympic Oval
December 29, 2009—Salt Lake City, UTAlthough she’s only been speedskating on ice since the fall of 2007, Heather Richardson (High Point, NC) has managed to earn starting positions in three Olympic distances. Richardson won the Ladies 1500m today at the 2010 U.S. Speedskating Championships at the Utah Olympic Oval, earning that Olympic spot along with the 500m and 1000m which she had previously won.
A former inline skater, Richardson’s main goal going into the Olympic qualifying process was to secure a berth in the 1000m but now she’ll be participating in three events in Vancouver.
. . .
In the Men’s 1500m, Olympian Chad Hedrick (Spring, TX) and Trevor Marsicano (Ballston Spa, NY) were paired in the final heat with Hedrick finishing in first with a time of 1:44. Marsicano finished in second place with 1:44.33, but it was Brian Hansen (Glenview, IL) earning the final 1500m Olympic spot, finishing in third place with a time of 1:44.83. Hedrick and Marsicano, along with Shani Davis (Chicago, IL) had already earned starting spots in the 1500m.
Congratulations, Heather and Brian!
Now, we know that Stephen had his own race to skate, too, and it sounds like the production team was working hard to keep spoilers under control. I think the following article and photo are okay even for people trying to avoid spoilers, but I’ll leave them behind the fold just to be on the safe side.
Here’s the little we’ve seen on that race with Shani:
Look for Speedskating Challenge on Colbert
Well, the big showdown race is in the books.
Who won?
We’ll have to wait to find out.
Speedskater Shani Davis finally faced off with comedian Stephen Colbert after races at the U.S. Championships concluded Sunday at the Utah Olympic Oval, spokeswoman Peri Kinder confirmed …
I’m really looking forward to seeing that segment! This whole Olympic saga has been a ball so far; I’m so glad Stephen got the Colbert Nation involved.
And, while we wait to see the next installment, here’s that other candid photo I mentioned, this one from erindipitie’s Twitpics:
It makes me smile that she’s holding the Sports Illustrated with his photo on it and that he seems to be holding on to some Colbert Nation paraphernalia.
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11 Comments
December 29th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Oh man, I cannot wait to see that race against Shani…I really hope Stephen is decked out in the uniform from his SI cover!
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December 29th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I just found out yesterday that a good friend of mine went to school with one of the Junior Speedskaters from Bay City, MI (which is just a hop, skip and a jump from me), and when I checked her Facebook page, there’s a picture of her and the other Junior skaters in full Cobert Nation gear, and I think my friend mentioned some photos of her with Stephen! There’s my Six Degrees of Stephen Colbert for the day, lol.
And I’ve said this before, but this Olympic coverage is like the gift that keeps on giving. Really looking forward to the Shani/Stephen race! :) That picture is just…*sigh*…I don’t even know. It’s just adorable.
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December 29th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Awesome! Did she have a chance to talk to him?
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December 29th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
I’m not sure – I’d have to add her as a friend in order to see her other photos. I’ll ask my friend to get the scoop for me, though. He called me the other night and said (because he knows it’s sort of my dream to meet Stephen), “If someone from Bay City can go on to meet Stephen Colbert, it’s entirely a possibility for you.” lol He’s an it-getter. :)
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January 1st, 2010 at 10:39 pm
My friend Zack showed me her fb photos last night and there was a picture of her with Stephen from the events in Salt Lake City! I was jealous to say the least lol.
Her name is Morgan Izykowski (I looked her up on the Speedskating site) – her and her brother are both on the Speedskating team, but she’s on the Junior team.
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January 2nd, 2010 at 1:10 am
Oh how cool! Thanks for the update! I guess if she’s on the junior team, we won’t see her at the Olympics this year, but I wish her the best of luck. Stephen combined with the Olympics will certainly perk up this dismal time of the year!
recaptcha: turnout noted (ha!)
December 29th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
I’d say he’s autographing a Colbert Nation sticker on one of the (hers?) uniforms. I love how much he’s supporting the speedskaters, like he did the troops before that -he practices what he preaches!
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December 29th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
I cannot wait to see this race!!! :D Also – so awesome that the girl in the pic has his Sports Illustrated cover. Lolz.
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December 30th, 2009 at 12:25 am
I admire that Stephen always gives 100% to the causes he chooses and promotes. I don’t think he takes anything lightly and that is what makes him a joy to watch!
I can’t wait to see the race and am secretly glad there are no spoiler pics or info just yet. I’d like to think I could practice self-control but that would be futile!
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December 30th, 2009 at 2:28 am
She (Sugar?) looks so cute in the photo with Stephen. Her profile grin is lovely. She should be very happy with it!
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December 30th, 2009 at 2:42 am
Ahh, so adorable as per usual. What I would do for one of those skin suits though. Like for cereal , I would take up skating again just so I’d have a proper excuse to have it. That is a promise. Haha
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