Davis breaks barrier

TURIN, Italy – The unpatriotic pose softened with each word, as Shani Davis eloquently explained what it was like to be an Olympic champion.

There wasn’t any anger in his heart, only the satisfaction of completing a chase that began with a joke to a friend in Chicago 11 years ago.

The chase ended dramatically Saturday afternoon, when Davis became the first African-American to win a Winter Olympic gold in an individual event.

Bound by purpose and dropping the unwelcome attitude over his decision to skip a team pursuit event earlier this week, Davis won the men’s 1,000-meters event at Oval Lingotto. He crossed the line in 1:08.89 to capture the third gold speedskating medal for the United States in these Olympics.

“I wanted to win really badly regardless of all the he-said, she-said, all the talk, man,” he said. “I’ve been doing this since I was 6, and what’s more rewarding than fulfilling the challenge of a dream. There was a lot of pressure, but I try not to concern myself with that.”

Davis, 23, chose to carry that albatross on his own. By refusing to compete in the team pursuit – and fueling the crossfire between himself and teammate Chad Hedrick – Davis became a symbol of the “me-first” attitude in a place where Americans usually wrap themselves in red, white and blue.

He then isolated himself from reporters and teammates for several days. It did him no favors, instead fostering the contentious relationship he and his family have had with the media for years.

All of those issues came up in his postrace press conference, which Davis used as a stage to express some real emotions, instead of spin control. He embarked on his historic journey by embracing a sport that is predominantly white, devoid of any role models.

“I chose a different route but it’s not a hard thing because I love what I do,” he said. “I wake up every morning wanting to make myself better.

“Ever since I was a kid, I used to joke around with my friend and say, ‘Man one day I want to win the 1,000 meters.’ I had an opportunity to chase that dream (today).”

Accelerating in the final 400 meters, Davis beat out teammate Joey Cheek, who won gold in the 500 meters Monday. Hedrick, who won the 5,000 meters event last Saturday, finished sixth.

Hedrick, who had embraced the opportunity to duplicate the single-Winter Games mark of five gold medals – set by Eric Heiden in 1980 at Lake Placid – saw that chase fizzle when the U.S. men were upset by Italy in the quarterfinals of the team pursuit event Wednesday.

Davis’ decision not to compete to focus on the 1,000 touched off a firestorm over his perceived lack of patriotism and escalated talk of a feud between him and Hedrick. Davis is considered among the best in the sprints, and would have raised U.S. hopes considerably.

“I respect the talent that he has,” said Hedrick, who did not congratulate Davis after the race. “Whether he and I have the same outlook on things is different. Who knows what’s right or wrong? I’m here as part of Team USA and that’s what I’m going to do, whether it’s the team pursuit or practicing with everybody. I’m trying to create a positive vibe so we can come out and represent our country the best we can.”

Those focusing on Hedrick perhaps failed to acknowledge the obvious: Davis, the world record holder in the 1,000 meters, had no intentions of losing to Hedrick. There was his own book of dreams to pursue.

Afterwards, he took a victory lap, acknowledging his parents in the stands.