Sportsmanship in Black: Shani Davis

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Shani Davis was born August 13, 1982 in Chicago, Ill.  At 28, Davis is the youngest person profiled for Sportsmanship in Black thus far.  Don't let his age fool you.  Davis is one of the most accomplished Olympians in U.S. history; blazing a trail never before seen in the winter sports.  Davis is not a basketball, football, or baseball player.  He's not a boxer nor a track and field athlete.  Shani Davis is one of the best speedskaters in the world.  He began roller-skating at age two in his native Chicago.  Davis showed great speed at a young age and a coach suggested he switch to ice skating.  His mother worked for an attorney whose son was a speedskater and Davis soon found his way to the ice rink.

Davis' hardwork and dedication won him several championships through high school.  In 2002, Davis became the first black speed skater to make the U.S. Olympic Team.  Making the team was a great accomplishment in and of itself, but the legend of Shani Davis had just begun.  The following Olympic Winter Games in 2006 turned into a coming out party for the young American.  Davis won the 1,000 meter race, making him the first black athlete from any nation to win a gold medal in an individual Winter Games sport.  He also took silver in the 1,500 meter race.  The Olympic Winter Games went to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 2010 and Davis didn't miss a beat.  America's tallest and most efficient skater successfully defended his 2006 Olympic Title in the 1,000 meters and again took silver in the 1,500 meters. 

The victory in the 1,000 meters made Davis the first man to repeat as Olympic Champion in the race.  He also brought home America's only speedskating gold medal during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.  Davis continues to get better at his craft.  He currently holds world records in the 1,000 meter and 1,500 meter races.  I thought about posting a video of one of Davis' races, but I think it's much cooler to see the kids he works with.  Davis supports a program in Washington, D.C. called I.C.E. (Inner City Excitement).  The following is a highlight video of the kids in the I.C.E. program (Email subscribers click here).  Until next time...

Be a Good Sport!

-Sol