Denny Morrison

Denny Morrison has been a speed skater since the age of three, having chosen the sport after discovering his local arena had no opportunities in ice hockey for children of his age. His father wanted him to become a lawyer, doctor, or engineer but, although he excelled at both academics and athletics, it was the latter that captured his interest and, until the end of the 2002-2003 season, he was both a short and long track speed skater. After focusing on long track, his first professional medal came at the Olympic Games in 2006 where he won silver as a participant in the team pursuit. He claimed his first individual medal, gold, at a 1,000m event during the 2007 World Cup. Later in the year he took silver in the team pursuit and 1,000m events at the World Champions, as well as bronze in the 1,500m. In 2008 he won gold in the 1,500m and bronze in the 1000m at the World Championships, as well as silver medals at World Cup 1,000m and team pursuit tournaments. One week after his gold medal win in the 1,500m, he set a world record at that distance, which still stands as of 2010. During the 2009 World Cup, he claimed gold in team pursuit and silver in 1,000m events and was later named Canadian Male Long Track Speed Skater of the Year. He won his first Olympic gold in his native country in 2010 in the team pursuit competition. His older brother Jay is also a speed skater on the Canadian National Team.