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 Speed Skating Canada
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Date of Birth: 03/01/74 |
Place of Birth: Winnipeg, MB |
Residence: Calgary, AB |
Height: 5'11" |
Weight: 169 lbs |
Years on National Team: 8 |
Mike Ireland added his name to a long list of Canadian medal contenders in speed skating for the Salt Lake City Olympics.
Ireland enjoyed his finest season last winter capped by the gold medal at the world sprint championships, the third
Canadian ever to win the crown. He also broke the world record in the 1,000 metres at the World Cup final only to see it
re-claimed a week later by teammate
Jeremy Wotherspoon at the world single distance championships.
In past seasons, Ireland has shown flashes of brilliance but been plagued by inconsistent performances due to injury and
skate problems. His coach and brother Sean Ireland says solving those worries made a huge difference in his little
brother's performances.
Ireland was a member of the 1994 Olympic team and came very close to making the 1998 squad against a very
competitive Canadian field. He speed skated and played hockey until age 12 when his parents forced him to decide
between the two.
What Canada Did
Feb. 16 - Men's 1,000 metres: Mike Ireland, Calgary, was 14th
Feb. 12 - Men's 500 metres: Mike Ireland, Winnipeg, finished seventh in a field of 38
Feb. 11: Mike Ireland, Winnipeg, finished sixth of 38 competitors in first race qualifying
More Mike Ireland Stories
School of hard knocks
2002 Games Long Track Speed Skating Coverage
