Speedskater pushed for trials to be canceled
In the immediate run-up to the U.S. Olympic long-track speedskating trials and the first days of competition Wednesday and Thursday, much was made of the decision to keep spectators away from the Pettit National Ice Center due to COVID-19 concerns.
With a number of young potential Olympians from southeast Wisconsin and northern Illinois, the support of friends and family could be the edge they need to qualify. Parents who sacrificed as much as their athletes would miss a firsthand look at their son’s or daughter’s biggest moment. The Milwaukee speedskating community would lose its day in the sun, and the Pettit would lose its revenue while still having expenses.
And so the discussion went. Past Olympic gold medalist skaters Dan Jansen and Bonnie Blair-Cruikshank expressed their disappointment and even frustration.
Blair-Cruikshank pointed out how a trials bubble wasn’t really a bubble anyway if, for example, Jordan Stolz went home to Kewaskum and spent every night with parents who conversely couldn’t go to the rink.
Then came Joey Mantia.
“I was pushing for a cancellation just because I don’t feel like it’s exactly a safe situation we’re in still,” Mantia said Thursday after qualifying for his third Olympics by finishing second in the 1,000 meters.
Both Milwaukee and Salt Lake City, home to the long-track speedskating training program, have experienced record numbers of positive coronavirus tests. Entering the competition, about 110 participants underwent COVID-19 testing and six of them were positive: four skaters, who were not permitted to compete, and two non-athlete participants, a US Speedskating spokesman said Friday. Blair-Cruikshank and her husband, four-time Olympian Dave Cruikshank, tested negative and were permitted to coach as planned, but their daughter Blair was positive six days before the trials and couldn’t compete, Bonnie said.
Regardless of whether an athlete feels any COVID-19 symptoms, an infection now could prevent them from entering China in less than a month for the Feb. 4-20 Beijing Games.
US Speedskating decided and the Pettit Center told ticket buyers Sunday the event would be closed to spectators.
If the trials had been canceled entirely as Mantia preferred, the U.S. team could have been set with World Cup winners and medal contenders getting a bye onto the team, which would eliminate one more chance for exposure, he said. Skaters who have spoken to the media — remotely —largely have expressed disappointment but understanding with competing in an empty cavern of a rink.
Beyond that, they’ve downplayed the effect of fans on their actual performance. Ethan Cepuran, winner of the men’s 5,000 on opening night, referred to all outside stimuli as “white noise” given the physical and mental demands required during a race of that length.
“It’s quiet in here, and it’s heartbreaking not to have family and friends in the stands for sure,” said Brittany Bowe, who broke her own Pettit Center record in winning the 1,000 meters Thursday night.
The competition continues with the 1,500 meters Saturday (USA Network).