Now They Can Pursue Each Other

If there is bad blood between American speedskaters Chad Hedrick and Shani Davis, neither is saying much about it.

The reserved Davis has been complimentary toward his teammate, and Hedrick, the abrupt Texan, has said, “I don’t have any problem with Shani.”

Still, their much-anticipated showdown in the 1,000 meters tonight has all the earmarks of a grudge match.

The race will feature a bevy of talented skaters -- including Jan Bos of the Netherlands and Americans Joey Cheek and Casey FitzRandolph -- any of whom could take gold.

None of them has a back story like Hedrick and Davis, though.

Hedrick came into the 2006 Winter Olympics talking about winning five gold medals, a feat accomplished only once in the Winter Games, by American speedskater Eric Heiden in 1980. Hedrick told the Times, “It’s my dream. Why shouldn’t I say it?”

First came the 5,000 meters. Hedrick won. Then came the team pursuit -- and that’s where Davis entered -- or rather, didn’t enter -- the picture.

Hedrick wasn’t exactly thrilled about skating in the odd event, which has three teammates on the ice simultaneously, sprinting around the oval single-file, racing as a synchronized unit. He participated, he said, for the good of the team.

He also said that with Davis on the squad, the U.S. had a good shot of winning.

Except Davis, after a seventh-place finish in the 5,000, skipped the event to rest up for the 1,000. His replacement, 35-year-old KC Boutiette, fell badly off the pace.

No victory for the U.S. No five golds for Hedrick.

In the days since, Davis has not spoken to the media. He is somewhat aloof -- the opposite of Hedrick -- practicing on his own.

Hedrick has shown a hint of irritation at answering so many questions about his teammate, and has also tried to downplay any great sense of disappointment.

“I’ve totally strayed away from the five-medal theory since it started,” he now says.

At some point, Heiden pulled him aside and told him not to worry about winning every race. Make a point of going out there and having fun, the former speedskater said, according to Hedrick.

For the first gold medal in the 5,000, “I was a little tense to go out there and get it,” Hedrick said. “But now I’m relaxed and confident.”

Which brings us to tonight’s race.

This could be Hedrick’s weakest event. Davis, on the other hand, holds the world record in the 1,000 meters.

Cheek, who won the 500 meters, is also a fast starter.

As for all the hype, Davis said earlier, “I don’t care to be an athlete celebrity because there are too many pressures. I don’t want all that.”

The Chicago native had kind words for Hedrick, mentioning him in the same sentence as Michael Jordan.

“Jordan is a hero for Chicago,” he said. “I have big shoes to fill. I have to make my own path. I have to make my own shoes. Chad is a five-time champion of the world and he has bigger shoes than me as well.”

On that point, at least, it seems Hedrick and Davis are in agreement. One loss has done nothing to dampen the Texan’s confidence or enthusiasm.

“Of course I’m expecting to come out and perform well and get a couple more [golds],” he said. “Things could be a lot worse right now.”

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The double push

U.S. speedskater Chad Hedrick’s signature technique creates more power by using both feet simultaneously to push in the same direction. How he does it:

Push and recovery: Push with the right foot and bring it back under the right shoulder.

Twice the power: While pushing with the left foot, bring the right foot across the center line in order to push with both feet in the same direction.

Semicircle motion: After pushing off with the left foot, transfer the weight to the heel of the right skate.

Maintaining balance: Transfer body weight to non-pushing hip and skate.

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Source: “Chad Hedrick’s Push, Volume 1.” Graphics reporting by Brady MacDonald