As excitement builds for the Winter Olympic Games, one of America’s top hopefuls chats about his travels on the road to Sochi! Patrick Meek is ready for Sochi as he competes for Olympic Gold in endurance speed skating. In this interview with Fitz, he reveals how he gets through the miserably long races, smack-talking with other skaters and advice for the average Joe. He’s ready to bring Team USA Olympic Gold in Sochi, Russia!
Patrick Meek Biography
College: University of Utah
Sport: Speed skating with a focus on the 5,000 meter, 10,000 meter and team pursuit races.
Over the past six years, Patrick Meek has been training in Salt Lake City, Utah and has developed into one of the premier distance skaters in the country. Meek is a member of the U.S. National team, focusing primarily on the 5000 meter, 10,000 meter and team pursuit races. Speed Skating has a long history in his family and upbringing; both his grandfather and dad were avid speedskaters. Meek has been skating since the age of two and has developed a lifelong love for the sport. He is a member of the Team USA Athlete Career Program and when he is not training he can be found working as a Concierge at the Waldorf Astoria Park City.
Results/Awards:
• Overall 2009-2010 American Cup Series Champion in three distances (1500m, 500m, and 10,000m)
• U.S. World Cup Team Member (2007-present)
• U.S. National Speedskating Team (2005-present)
• Member of 2007 World University Games Team (Turin, Italy)
• 2nd place overall 2007-2008 American Cup Series (5000m/10,000m)
• 11th place 2007 World University Games (10,000m)
• Two time 10,000m U.S. Single Distance National Champion (2006 and 2007)
• 3rd place 2007 U.S. National Single Distance Championship (5,000m)
• 5th place 2006 U.S. Olympic Trials (10,000m)
• Member of 2005 Junior World Team (Seinjoki, Frinland)
• Bronze Medal 2005 Junior World Championship (Team Pursuit)
• 2003: U.S. Intermediate Short Track National Champion
• Member of U.S. Junior Elite Short Track team (2000-2005)
• 2012: Finished 1st in the 3000M at the Salt Lake City Time Trials
• 2013: US Record in the 25,000M and 50,000M at the Milwaukee National Speedskating Marathon
• 2013: Finished 3rd in the 10,000M at the North American/Oceana Regional Qualifier
• 2013: Finished 13th in the 5,000M at the Essent ISU World Cup in Inzell, Germany
• 2013: Finished 2nd in the 10,000M at the Essent ISU World Cup in Erfurt, Germany
Patrick Meek on Fitzness.com
