Allison Baver
Short Track Speedskating
2002 Olympian
2006 Olympian
2010 Olympic hopeful
Personal Specs
Height: 5'4"
Short List Performance
- 2002 Olympic Winter Games - seventh (relay)
- 2006 Olympic Winter Games - fourth (relay), seventh (500m), 12th (1500m)
- 2006 World Championships - bronze (3000m)
- 2007 World Championships - fifth (1000m, 1500m), seventh (3000m, relay)
Vancouver Watch
Baver suffered a broken leg in February when teammate Katherine Reutter collided with her at a race in Bulgaria. She rehabbed the injury through May before working her way back into top form going into September's U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Still, the two-time Olympian is among the top elite short track speed skaters in the world. Baver has more medals on the World Cup circuit than any U.S. speedskater in the past 15 years.
Personal
Baver has overcome a series of injuries. At the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, she fell during the 500m and suffered a career-threatening bone bruise. She was sidelined for six months in 2007 with a neck injury and an elevated heart rate caused by trauma from a deep tissue massage. She became ill at the 2008 World Championships and was prescribed Sudafed, which also raised her rate to a dizzying level. In 2003, she received a bachelor's degree in marketing and management from Penn State. In 2007, she received an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology. Her hobbies include shopping, cars, yoga, dancing, real estate and cheerleading. She tried out for the Philadelphia 76ers dance team in 2000.
Did You Know...?
- Nominee for Sports Illustrated's "most studious" Olympic athlete in 2006
- Once considered for a spot on NBC's "The Apprentice"
- Sponsored by Penske Truck Rental
- Is a model with Wilhelmina Modeling Agency
- The first inline skater to make the switch to ice and qualify for the U.S. Olympic Short Track Team
- Starting a foundation "Off the Ice" for kids