This week, NYP TV Sports’ Andrew Marchand spoke with Olympic gold medalist Dan Jansen. Jansen, 40, will be a speed-skating analyst for NBC during the Olympics.
Q: How much of an impact does winning a gold medal have on your life?
A: It is hard to quantify. The opportunities that have come my way, whether endorsements or a lot of what I do now with speaking engagements, [are because of the gold.] Besides that, maybe fairly or unfairly, you have this title attached to you “Olympic gold medalist” – you are treated differently. Whether that is fair or unfair, it is the way it is. It doesn’t mean I’m unhappy I won. You notice people in the way they react to you.
Q: There is so much sacrifice to be an Olympian. Did you ever think about quitting?
A: I never did. There are certainly things that you sacrifice, but I never looked at it that way. Maybe I was sacrificing hanging out with my friends in high school or going out Friday night when I had to train in the morning on Saturday.
Q: What was your approach?
A: I looked at it as I had this opportunity, or dream anyway, and it is really what I wanted to do at that time. When you start looking at it as sacrifice, then it is not fun for you and then you are thinking about, “If I could be on the other side,” and I don’t think that is a good mindset for you to have.
Q: What are the most compelling stories in speed skating?
A: There are a lot of big stories. Chad Hedrick is probably the biggest name going in. He could possibly come away with four medals. Three individual and one team. And his teammate, Shani Davis from Chicago, could possibly become the first African-American male gold medalist in speed skating.
Q: During the Olympics, what is it like to deal with all the extra distractions?
A: It definitely can be an issue. You have to be careful. There are no other competitions that you go into that you have this much media around. They put demands on your time, especially if you are one of the favorites. You have to be very careful and manage your time, or it can really take its toll.