6. 1994: Dan Jansen finally takes the gold
Every athlete goes through a number of trials and tribulations before eventual success, but few have needed as much determination and resilience as Dan Jansen did to earn his gold medal in the 1000 meter race in ’94. Six years earlier, Jansen had raced in his first Olympics just hours after hearing about his sister’s passing from leukemia. While racing with a heavy heart, Jansen fell during both races he competed in that year. He also failed to medal in the 1992 Olympics, but at age 28, during his last shot at Olympic glory, he pulled through for the win, setting a world record time in the process.
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