Saturday, February 16, 2002
Skate it off
By ERIC FRANCIS -- Calgary Sun
KEARNS, Utah -- It was, by far, the most devastating moment of Jeremy Wotherspoon's speed-skating career.
However, when the 25-year-old Red Deer native fell just four strides into Monday's 500m race, there were four people in the stands who were hit every bit as hard as he was.
His family.
Sitting mere feet from where Jeremy inadvertently planted his toe and sent himself sprawling across the ice, Bill and Sharon Wotherspoon, as well as their two daughters Danielle and Megan, were instantly reduced to tears.
"There was a burst out of emotion," said Bill, discussing what has been a far more emotional week than that of Jeremy's silver-medal performance in Nagano.
"It leaves you feeling pretty flat," added Sharon of the nightmare that also prompted tears from her shocked son as he left the Utah Olympic Oval that day.
Electing to give him space following the spill, the Wotherspoons spent an anxious 24 hours consoling one another while worrying about his mental state.
"What makes it hard for parents is you don't know how your son is feeling," Bill said. "We were hoping he'd get through it as quickly as possible but you're always wondering how he is, who he's with and whether his friends are there helping him."
As the world sprint champion and heavy favourite to win the 500m, Sharon knew her son would take the fall hard but had faith his teammates would provide ample support.
"You're there for your son for 17 years for the highs and you want to be there for the lows but the speed-skating support system is incredible," she said.
"(His teammates) were upset, too, but were all very supportive of him. We, too, had incredible e-mails from friends from all over, even Norway."
Several parents, including those of teammate Pat Bouchard and bronze-medal winner Kip Carpenter, also came up to the Wotherspoons and said they considered Jeremy a hero for bouncing back with the fastest time the next day.
"It was a nice feeling to see him skate it off and get himself ready for the next race," Bill said.
One of the people who lent support to Jeremy was Catriona Le May Doan, who said yesterday she believes her teammate will respond favourably tonight when he skates in the 1,000m, a race in which he set a world record here in December.
"It's just going to get him fired up," Le May Doan said. "Him and Mike (Ireland) will be the ones to contend with."
Jeremy quietly agrees.
"My best 1,000 is better than my best 500," Wotherspoon said. "I'll be ready."
So will his family.
2002 Games Long Track Speed Skating Coverage
