Ocala Olympic Speedskater Falls Short Of Receiving Medal

GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – She was so close. Unfortunately, Ocala native and long track speedskater Brittany Bowe fell short of taking home an Olympic medal in the 1,000-meter Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Instead, Bowe, 29, finished fourth, eliminating her chance to stand behind the podium at Gangneung Oval during the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.

Nevertheless, noted Team USA, the four-time world champion had the best individual finish by an American woman since 2002 when Team USA was awarded three medals in the Salt Lake City games.

“Obviously very disappointed in this moment, just falling short of the podium,” Bowe told Team USA reporters. “My best finish yet at the Olympics but that doesn’t matter if it’s not top three.”

Bowe won gold in 2015 and bronzes in 2013 and 2016 in the 1,000-meter.

However, a collision with a teammate in July 16 proved to be a setback. The ensuing concussion caused vestibular dysfunction, post-concussion syndrome and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. The effects have periodically left her dizzy and unbalanced.

As a result, Bowe missed all but one world cup in the 2016-17 season. She took bronze in the 1,000-meter at that event and at the 2017 world championships.

“It’s been an uphill battle for the past year or two,” Bowe told Team USA reporters. “But (I was) just staying patient, staying in the moment, trust in my coach, trust in the program, and I have a great support team and staff that’s lifting me up day after day, week after week.”

The fourth place in the 1,000-meter was the second Olympic disappointment for Bowe.

Although she came closer to an Olympic medal than any other Team USA long track speedskater in eight years, she nevertheless placed fifth in the 1,500-meter Monday, Feb. 12.

The 2016 Grand World Cup champion, Bowe is hoping for a better finish Sunday when she competes in the 500-meter.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Bowe said of the 500. “Got another chance on Sunday to skate the best one lap that I’ve ever skated and hopefully make a statement there.”

Bowe is a later bloomer by Olympic speed-skating standards.

She was a competitive inline skater while attending Trinity Catholic School in Ocala where she graduated in 2006. As an inline skater, she accumulated 32 world championship medals.

She went on to Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton where she played college basketball.

It wasn’t until 2010 that she switched from the pavement to the
ice.

Fans can follow Bowe’s progress on her Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

To read more, visit the Team USA website.

Image via AP