Countdown to the Olympic Winter Games

In less than four months, U.S. speedskating athletes will once again step on Olympic ice with the intention of bringing home Olympic medals. After winning more than 60 World Cup and World Championships medals for long and short track events in the 2008-2009 season, Team USA is prepared to melt the ice with some fast skating and heart-pounding action.

US Speedskating athletes are more than ready for the Olympic Games and the stage is set for U.S. speedskaters to perform like never before. With 75 Olympic Games medals, USS athletes are the most successful of all winter sports in the United States. At the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, American athletes in both long and short track are prepared to bring home the gold.

With only 100 days until the Olympic Games, USS coaches are fine-tuning the athletes' technique, focus and performance. "The ultimate focus is the Games," said gold-medal Olympian and USS National Head Coach  Derek Parra. "My thoughts are moving back from that point. I'm focused on what I have to do as a coach and what the athletes have to do to be their best."

The next two Short Track World Cup events in Montreal, Quebec and Marquette, Michigan will determine which athletes will be on the 2010 Olympic Short Track team. The next five Long Track World Cup events will allow athletes to qualify for spots during the Olympics. All of these events are very important in regard to Olympic selection.

"We're looking for great performances from our team in all the World Cup events," said Bob Crowley, USS Executive Director. "We have a great group of athletes going out to represent us at the World Cups and a great group of coaches who have prepared them."

Two-time Olympian Allison Baver made a remarkable comeback after shattering her leg at a Short Track World Cup event in February 2009 in Bulgaria. After intense rehabilitation, not only was she able to skate again, she earned an Olympic team nomination during the 2010 U.S. Olympic Trials for Short Track Speedskating in September. She knows there is a lot at stake during these last two World Cup events and plans on doing her best to win an Olympic berth.

"(My) performance is contingent not only on (my) own dreams, but the dreams of (my) team as well," Baver said. "It is an honor to be an athlete with this responsibility. We are racing to determine how many Americans we will have represent our country at the Olympic Games."

For complete results from the World Cup events, visit the US Speedskating Results Page at www.usspeedskating.org. The US Speedskating Community page, Up to Speed, also carries results, photos and information. Follow USS on Twitter @usspeedskating.

About US Speedskating

US Speedskating is a non-profit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union as the governing body for the sport of speedskating in the United States. Its mission is to be one of the premier speedskating organizations in the world through excellence in leadership, development and performance. To date, US Speedskating has won 75 Olympic medals, making it the most successful winter sport in the U.S.  In addition to its elite programs, US Speedskating is responsible for the grassroots development of speedskating.

Tags: Allison Baver, Derek Parra, US Speed Skating