Speed Skater Shani Davis is an athlete to watch. In 2006, the Chicago native became the first Black athlete (from any nation) to win a medal (gold) in an individual Winter Games Sport. In 2010, Davis is adding to his impressive list of accomplishments, he won his second straight Olympic title in the 1,000-meter speedskating. He is the first skater ever to win this event twice at the Winter Games. His victory also makes him the third American male to win more than one speedskating gold medal.

Davis attributes his success to his encouraging mother. She manages his career and is the person responsible for his discipline and skill. Shani declares, “My mom never thought of herself first, and I credit most of my success to her. She continues to manage my career and is always there for me.” Currently, Davis holds eight world records. Not bad for an athlete who started at the roller rink, dabbled in the ice rink, and has become one of speedskating’s most prolific competitors. Expect for him to finish these Winter Games with a few more records and medals under his belt.

For more information on Shani Davis visit:

http://www.shanidavis.org/

What do all these athletes have in common? Determination, drive and, of course, a dream. In fact, they sound a lot like job hunters. 

Here are 10 things I’ve noticed among our Olympians as they mount their quests for success. I’m thinking these elements can surely take a job search from so-so to gold medal-winning!

1. Laser-like focus
2. Clear strategy
3. Supportive group of family and friends
4. Well-planned training regiment
5. Conditioned bodies and minds
6. Sense of individuality
7. Perspective
8. Fun, fearless spirit
9. Strong belief in miracles
10. Killer iPod playlist (Kelly Clark Karaoke, anyone?)

What have YOU taken away from our Olympic idols?

Shani Davis is the star Speed Skater for Long Track.  Shani Davis is a Chicago native. Shani started roller skating at age 2.  He started speed skating, at age six, at the suggestion of the lawyer his mother was working for whom was a speed skating official.  Within two months Shani was winning regional races in his age group.  Shani has been making history ever since.  He has dominated in the World Cups since 2005 winning his first All-around Gold in Moscow.  Since the 2005 Championship Shani has won three All-around Championships. Shani is the first African American to win a Gold medal in the Winter Olympics (2006 Torino 1000m).  He also won a Silver medal in the 2006 Olympic 1500m.  He is the forth American to win the Sprint Championship and the second male skater to win both the Sprint and All-around in their career. This feat was deemed to be almost impossible as he is towers in stature at 6’2”. 

In the five 2009-2010 World Cups meets Shani has won 9 Gold Medals.  He has collected four in the 1500m, four in the 1000m and one in the team pursuit.

Shani Davis now has gold in the 1,000 and silver in the 1,500.  Way to go Shani Davis!

VIA:  ShaniDavis.Com

Shani Davis was born on Friday, August 13, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois. Raised by his mother on the city’s south side, he started roller-skating at local rinks at age two. By age three Shani was darting around the roller rink so fast that skate guards would chase him just to ask him to slow down. Seeming to become bored with roller-skating, at age six a coach suggested that Shani switch to ice skating. Shortly thereafter, his mother started working for an attorney, Fred Benjamin, whose son happened to be involved in speed skating at an elite level. It was at that time that Benjamin suggested that Shani give speed skating a try.

Shani joined the Evanston Speedskating Club at age six and within two months started competing locally. Though immediately taking to ice, at competitions Shani was generally more interested in running around with his competitors and playing video games than he was with competing. Nevertheless, by age 8 he was winning regional age-group competitions and began to hear about the Olympic ideal from his Northbrook competitors and friends. Shani’s mother encouraged him to participate and, in an effort to build his endurance, woke him most mornings to run a mile on a track close to their home. As there were — and still are — no speed skating clubs in inner city Chicago, at age 10 Shani and his mother moved to the far north side of the city to be closer to the Evanston rink.

Click here to read more on Shani Davis…

Watch Shani’s video blog dated 2/13/10:

[ione_embed width="580" height="485" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qSiC4ovfOs4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"]

[ione_media_gallery legacy_id="14132" src="http://crosspost.interactiveone.com"]

2006 World Cup Interview:

[ione_embed width="580" height="485" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hrsg3EEhUiY&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"]

VIA:  ShaniDavis.Com

Shani Davis was born on Friday, August 13, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois. Raised by his mother on the city’s south side, he started roller-skating at local rinks at age two. By age three Shani was darting around the roller rink so fast that skate guards would chase him just to ask him to slow down. Seeming to become bored with roller-skating, at age six a coach suggested that Shani switch to ice skating. Shortly thereafter, his mother started working for an attorney, Fred Benjamin, whose son happened to be involved in speed skating at an elite level. It was at that time that Benjamin suggested that Shani give speed skating a try.

Shani joined the Evanston Speedskating Club at age six and within two months started competing locally. Though immediately taking to ice, at competitions Shani was generally more interested in running around with his competitors and playing video games than he was with competing. Nevertheless, by age 8 he was winning regional age-group competitions and began to hear about the Olympic ideal from his Northbrook competitors and friends. Shani’s mother encouraged him to participate and, in an effort to build his endurance, woke him most mornings to run a mile on a track close to their home. As there were — and still are — no speed skating clubs in inner city Chicago, at age 10 Shani and his mother moved to the far north side of the city to be closer to the Evanston rink.

Click here to read more on Shani Davis…

Watch Shani’s video blog dated 2/13/10:

[ione_embed width="580" height="485" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qSiC4ovfOs4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"]

[ione_media_gallery legacy_id="14132" src="http://crosspost.interactiveone.com"]

2006 World Cup Interview:

[ione_embed width="580" height="485" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hrsg3EEhUiY&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"]

VIA:  ShaniDavis.Com

Shani Davis was born on Friday, August 13, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois. Raised by his mother on the city’s south side, he started roller-skating at local rinks at age two. By age three Shani was darting around the roller rink so fast that skate guards would chase him just to ask him to slow down. Seeming to become bored with roller-skating, at age six a coach suggested that Shani switch to ice skating. Shortly thereafter, his mother started working for an attorney, Fred Benjamin, whose son happened to be involved in speed skating at an elite level. It was at that time that Benjamin suggested that Shani give speed skating a try.

Shani joined the Evanston Speedskating Club at age six and within two months started competing locally. Though immediately taking to ice, at competitions Shani was generally more interested in running around with his competitors and playing video games than he was with competing. Nevertheless, by age 8 he was winning regional age-group competitions and began to hear about the Olympic ideal from his Northbrook competitors and friends. Shani’s mother encouraged him to participate and, in an effort to build his endurance, woke him most mornings to run a mile on a track close to their home. As there were — and still are — no speed skating clubs in inner city Chicago, at age 10 Shani and his mother moved to the far north side of the city to be closer to the Evanston rink.

Click here to read more on Shani Davis…

Watch Shani’s video blog dated 2/13/10:

[ione_embed width="580" height="485" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qSiC4ovfOs4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"]

[ione_media_gallery legacy_id="14132" src="http://crosspost.interactiveone.com"]

2006 World Cup Interview:

[ione_embed width="580" height="485" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Hrsg3EEhUiY&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"]