Golf will be part of the Olympic Program in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Golf was last an Olympic sport at the 1904 Games in St. Louis, Mo., so it will be very exciting to have our sport displayed for the world to see.  In the meantime, we need to cheer on our Winter Olympians as they compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

Many of you know that I am married to Gold Medalist Speed Skater and 4-time Olympian Dan Jansen.  Dan is very involved in supporting his fellow Olympians including mentoring young athletes and helping raise money for Olympians that have fallen on hard times.

                                                              Dan and Karen Jansen

Dan knows that being an Olympian comes with its own set of challenges, especially after you’ve exhausted your financial resources. That’s why he’s supporting the Olympians for Olympians Relief Fund, which gives Olympians monetary assistance during times of crisis like an illness, injury or natural disaster. Please visit Every Step of the Way to help get money allocated toward this great cause.  We are not asking for money, just that you vote for the program.

Dan Jansen knew at a young age he loved to speed skate. At only 11 years old, the youngest and most talented skater in his family of nine children, Dan got his first big dose of disappointment at the National Pack Style Speed skating Championship in St. Paul, MN. “ I remember driving back home to West Allis, WI, with my dad, crying for the better part of the 300-mile trip,” When we arrived home, my dad took me aside and said,’ Dan, there’s more to life than skating around in circles.’

“I didn’t understand at that time what he meant. But I later realized how important it is to keep things in perspective. It’s a lesson i’ll never forget.”

Dan went on to be a strong speed skater and a world class contender. Dan’s first Olympic competition was in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, when he was 18 years old. He finished fourth in the 500 meters,.16 seconds away form a bronze medal.

Dan was the favored speed skater at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada, but he needed all the courage he could gather when, on the day he was to race in the 500 meters, his sister Jane died from Leukemia. That evening Dan readied himself as best he could in hopes of winning the race for his sister. 100 meters into the race, Dan fell. He fell again, four days later, in the 1000 meter race while on a world record pace.

Dan’s third Winter Olympic occurred in 1992 in Albertville, France. He finished a disappointing fourth in the 500 meters and 26th in the 1000 meter. Again, the chance to win a Olympic medal eluded him.

Dan’s last shot at an elusive Olympic Medal came at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway Again the favorite in the 500, Dan was on another world record pace when the unfathomable happened again. A slip in the final turn cost him a medal.

Four days later Dan skated his last Olympic race, the 1000 meter. Skating in the fourth pair, Dan put to rest the Olympic Jinx. He raced to a world record and the gold medal.

“I knew I skated a solid race,” said Dan. “But it wasn’t until a second or two after I finished, when the crowd cheered and I looked at the clock – WORLD RECORD 1:12.43 – that I realized I had finally skated to my potential. I was pretty sure it was good enough to receive a medal and good change for a gold.”

As the national anthem played and the American flag rose in front of him, Dan Jansen stood proudly with his gold medal around his neck. He looked skyward to the heavens and saluted,” This is for you, Jane. I love you.”

Help Dan Jansen support the Olympians for Olympians Relief Fund, which gives Olympians monetary assistance during times of crisis like an illness, injury or natural disaster.

Please visit Every Step of the Way to help get money allocated toward this great cause.