Sunday, February 17, 2002
Double dip eyed
By ERIC FRANCIS -- Team Sun
KEARNS, Utah -- When Catriona Le May Doan takes to the ice this evening, she'll do so with an eye on becoming Canada's first double-gold medallist since Myriam Bedard.
And while it will be Le May Doan's last Olympic race, it will not mark the end of her career.
"I want to skate one more year," said the 31-year-old Saskatoon speed skater who became Canada's first official gold medallist of these Games with a win in Thursday's long track women's 500 metres.
"I didn't want to end my career on an Olympic year because, if I knew I was retiring in a few months, I'd be panicking.
"Every venue it would be like: 'Oh, my last time in Calgary.' I didn't want that extra pressure."
Instead, her plan involves saying goodbye to the sport following next year's world sprint championships, which will be hosted by the Calgary Olympic Oval she has called home for 13 years.
"I think that will be special," Le May Doan said.
"Next year won't be any less serious but I can enjoy the final skates in different places."
A devout Christian who places a heavy emphasis on family values, she dearly wants to start a family with husband Bart Doan.
"That's very important to me -- it's almost time," she said, flashing the golden grin Canadians from coast-to-coast adore.
"Work-wise, we'll see what's out there (after next season). TV is a possibility -- being bilingual helps -- and I enjoy public speaking."
A 500-metre gold medallist in each of the past two Olympics, Le May Doan wasted little time following Thursday's triumph to begin preparing for a shot at improving on her 1,000-metre bronze medal from Nagano.
In fact, coach Sean Ireland confirmed part of the reason Le May Doan was unable to arrive at her scheduled medal ceremony on time Thursday was due to a brief, but not brief enough, workout in preparation for tonight's race.
"She squeezed in some specific training on the bike for the race and she has a good shot at doing well there," Ireland said.
A second gold for Le May Doan, who is ranked third in World Cup 1,000-metre standings, would be the first since Bedard did the same in 1994 as a biathlete.
2002 Games Long Track Speed Skating Coverage
