Derek Parra

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameDerek•Parra
Used nameDerek•Parra
Born15 March 1970 in San Bernardino, California (USA)
Measurements162 cm / 64 kg
AffiliationsGreenfield
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 1
Bronze 0
Total 2

Biography

Derek Parra was a Mexican-American speed skater who started out as an inline speed skater, but followed the lead of KC Boutiette and Jen Rodriguez and switched to speed skating. On roller skates, Parra was a two-time World Champion and won three US Championships. As a speed skater he has two silver medals from World Championships, a silver in the 1,500 at the Single Distance Championships in 2001, and silver in the 1,500 at the 2002 World Allrounds. He was also third overall at the 2002 World Allrounds, his best year, as he won his Olympic gold medal in the 1,500 and silver in the 5,000 at Salt Lake City. Parra continued to compete thru the 2006 Winter Olympics but with less success, and retired after the Torino Games. He is now the US national all-round speed skating coach. As a Mexican-American Parra was the first US Hispanic male to win a medal or gold medal at the Winter Olympics.

Personal Bests: 500 – 35.88 (2001); 1000 – 1:08.87 (2003); 1500 – 1:43.95 (2002); 3000 – 3:46.14 (2002); 5000 – 6:17.98 (2002); 10000 – 13:33.44 (2002); Sprint Combination – 142.685 (2006); Allround Samalog – 153.661 (2002).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
2002 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) USA Derek Parra
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 13
2006 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) USA Derek Parra
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 19
Team Pursuit (8 laps), Men (Olympic) United States 6

Olympic Records

Records may have been broken subsequently during the same competition.
Games Date Sport Event Phase Mark Pos
2002 Winter Olympics 9 February 2002 Speed Skating (Skating) 5,000 metres, Men Final Standings 6:17.98 WR 2
2002 Winter Olympics 19 February 2002 Speed Skating (Skating) 1,500 metres, Men Final Standings 1:43.95 WR 1

Special Notes