Sports

Cover Story

American short-track speed skater
Daniel Weinstein, left, hopes for
greater success in his
second Olympics.

40:

2/8
2002

54

laps, but otherwise team members can
trade off at any time in any order.
Changeovers can occur anywhere on
the course, making the event exciting
to watch.
Training is intense. Weinstein took
a year off from his studies at Harvard
University in Boston to spend about
25 hours per week preparing for the
Olympics, including five on-ice ses-
sions, bike riding and weight lifting.
He said he's ready for Salt Lake City
"I've probably never been more
confident," he said in Colorado
Springs less than two weeks before the
Games opened, "not just how I'm
skating, but how our team is doing."
While Weinstein said he's not the
fastest skater on the team, his strength
lies in his temperament. "I'm the rock
on the team. I'm solid. I'm consistent."
Weinstein's father, Milton, agreed that
his son's ability to keep an even keel has
helped him succeed.
"Even if he's had a good day or
event, he's not that high. If he's had a
disappointing day, he doesn't get too
upset," Milton said. "It makes us
proud to see how he handles the pres-
sure, all of the ups and downs."
As a child, Weinstein would accom-
pany his mother, Rhonda, to the local
public rink, holding her hand so he

ro-

S. vs.
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— U. S. vs. China
midnight)
— U. . S. vs. Finland

men's semifi-

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g.t.itkiar

Ngoineds sernifi-

didn't fall. He started playing hockey
at 5, but got interested in speed skat-
ing at 9 after his father, who said he
does not know how to skate, read an
article about a speed skating club.
Weinstein skated with the club as
something fun to do, continuing to
use his hockey skates.
At 11, he entered his first competi-
tion, winning his age group. The next
year, he entered more competitions

nal (CNBC, 6-9 p.m.)
• Thursday, Feb. 21 -- Women's
bronze medal game (MSNBC, 1-7
P.m.)
• Thursday, Feb. 21 — Women's gold
medal game (CNBC, 7-10 p.m.; NBC,
8 p.m. to midnight )

Short-Track Speed Skating
• Saturday, Feb. 23 — Men's 5,000-
meter relay final (NBC, 8-11:30 p.m.)

Ladies Figure Skating
• Tuesday, Feb. 19 — Short program
(NBC, 8-11:30 p.m.)
• Thursday, Feb. 21 — Long program
(NBC, 8 p.m. to midnight)

and won the national competition for
his age. But he also was advancing in
hockey, making the roster of the com-
petitive junior Boston Bruins.
Because the two sports use com-
pletely different techniques, Weinstein
had a decision to make. He said the
enjoyment he received from his speed-
skating club swayed his decision.
"In the club, everybody knows each
other," he said. "It was the social aspect."

In addition to taking part in the
1998 Olympics, Weinstein placed
fourth overall, winning a silver medal
and two bronzes at the 2000 World
Championships in Sheffield, England.
Weinstein also was a member of the
2001 World Championship 5000-meter
relay team and placed 12th in the 1000
meters and overall at the 2001 World
Championships. He won a gold medal
and a silver medal in 2001 World Cup
individual competition and placed third
overall at the 2001 U.S. Championships.
While he doesn't wear his Judaism on
his sleeve, Weinstein said his religion is
a part of him. "It makes me stick out in
the Jewish community," he said. "I'd
like to think it means something to
people in temples and high schools."
Weinstein, who attended religious
school through his bar mitzvah, said
his religion also serves as a means to
educate other skaters. By being a suc-
cess, he's been able to break down
some of the stigma that Jews aren't
supposed to be strong athletes. .
Rhonda Weinstein said Judaism is
part of her son's identity. At Passover,
he brings friends of different religious
and ethnic backgrounds home to
experience the family seder.
The Weinstein family, she said, also
has placed an emphasis on Jewish cul-