OLYMPIC UTAH

Speedskaters prepare for 2026 Olympics

Aug 17, 2022, 10:22 PM | Updated: Aug 19, 2022, 3:50 pm

There is dedication and preparation in almost any career. Then there is Olympic dedication and preparation.

For Olympians who want to be the best, it takes years to shave off a second or two.

At the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns, the 2022 Winter Olympics are already a memory.

It’s back to hours upon hours, twice a day, without a whole lot of time off.

“They can’t have many other things in their lives going on because this is their full-time job, basically,” said Gabriel Girard, who along with Ryan Shimabukuro, are busy coaching U.S. long track speedskaters again.

(US Speedskating) (KSL TV) (KSL TV) (KSL TV) (KSL TV)

Girard feels the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy are already getting closer.

“It is a long way, but we also have to get back to business,” Girard said.

That attitude, and wanting the very best from his skaters, helped U.S. Speedskating win several medals during the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

A banner recently put up at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns shows those who won who colored dots next to their names representing the medal.

“Beijing 2022 was the first medal in 12 years for the men’s in any event,” Girard said. “So that’s a good relief.”

It’s a relief for Girard because he was hired only 2.5 years ago specifically to help the U.S. win medals.

His success with the skaters earned him another contract with U.S. Speedskating through the 2026 Games.

Girard was also recently awarded the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee Order of Ikkos medal, which recognizes world-class coaching excellence.

“It is nice to get some rewards here or there as a recognition of the time you invest with these athletes to have them reach their full potential,” he said.

That’s why he keeps pushing athletes every day, even Olympic medalists like Brittany Bowe, Emery Lehman, Casey Dawson and Ethan Cepuran.

For Girard, when it comes to Olympic preparation, tomorrow only means the next Winter Games are closer.

“As I like to say, it’s not only about getting faster,” he said. “It’s about getting faster first.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Olympic Utah

This week on Sunday Edition Doug Wright looks at the latest developments for Utah's Olympic bid....

KSL TV

Sunday Edition: Utah’s Olympic Bid, Midterm Elections

This week on Sunday Edition Doug Wright looks at the latest developments for Utah's Olympic bid.

1 year ago

One the of climbers in the training camp climbing a wall. (KSL-TV's Alex Cabrero)...

Alex Cabrero

USA Climbing Camp for Paris 2024 begins in Salt Lake City

As the Summer 2024 Olympic Games draws closer, those athletes looking to participate begin their training. 

1 year ago

The Salt Lake City valley buildings are seen with the Olympic rings on the mountain behind the city...

Hugo Rikard-Bell, KSLNewsRadio

Japan’s paused Olympic bid will not affect Salt Lake’s

Salt Lake City’s chief Olympic rival, Sapporo, Japan is taking a break in its bid for the 2030 Winter Olympics.

1 year ago

FILE: General View as the Olympic Flame burns during the Opening Ceremony of the 2002 Salt Lake Cit...

Eddie Pells, AP National Writer

Fewer locations, besides Salt Lake City, want to host Winter Olympics

It’s becoming nearly impossible to find any place, outside of Salt Lake City, that truly wants to host these events.

1 year ago

The Salt Lake City valley buildings are seen with the Olympic rings on the mountain behind the city...

Karah Brackin

Utah may be considered for 2030, 2034 winter Olympic Games

The International Olympic Committee wrapped up three days of meetings on Wednesday. During that time, they discussed everything from rotating the Olympic Games within a pool of host cities to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Utah may be an option for future winter games.

1 year ago

World Cup Short-track Speedskating event in Salt Lake another example Utah is ready for a future Ol...

Alex Cabrero

World Cup speedskating event shows Utah is ready for future Olympics

World Cup short track speedskating event in Salt Lake showcases that Utah is ready to hold possible upcoming Olympic Games.

1 year ago

Sponsored Articles

Stack of old laptops with dark background...

PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...

BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.

Close up of an offset printing machine during production...

Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.

vintage photo of lighting showroom featuring chandeliers, lamps, wall lights and mirrors...

Lighting Design

History of Lighting Design | Over 25 Years of Providing Utah With the Latest Trends and Styles

Read about the history of Lighting Design, a family-owned and operated business that paved the way for the lighting industry in Utah.

Fiber Optical cables connected to an optic ports and Network cables connected to ethernet ports...

Brian Huston, CE and Anthony Perkins, BICSI

Why Every Business Needs a Structured Cabling System

A structured cabling system benefits businesses by giving you faster processing speeds and making your network more efficient and reliable.

notebook with password notes highlighted...

PC Laptops

How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember

Learn how you can create strong passwords that are actually easy to remember! In a short time you can create new ones in seconds.

Speedskaters prepare for 2026 Olympics