Even in defeat, Denny Morrison remains a world class athlete.
Admittedly disappointed with his results at the Olympic speed skating oval in Richmond, British Columbia, over the past week, Morrison failed to meet his own lofty expectations. He was bewildered and apologetic as he struggled to explain his failure to rise above the best of the Olympic competition.
The Fort St. John, B.C., native with family ties to Mount Forest was favoured to medal alongside American rival Shani Davis. He fell well short of the mark, yet conducted himself with post-race dignity and grace.
Morrison opened his Games with an 18th place showing in the men’s 5,000m race, knowing that his best events were yet to come. He then placed 9th in the 1,500m, and a demoralizing 13th in the 1,000m event.
Denny can still rescue his Olympic experience in the Team Pursuit speed skating events, slated for this Friday and Saturday, where he is once again a favourite to bring home a medal for Canada.
Morrison is a former world record holder and world champion on the speed skating oval, and skated to silver and bronze at the world championships in 2009. At the Olympic Winter Games in Torino in 2006, Denny picked up a silver medal in the Team Pursuit event. He hopes to better that finish this week.