Groves speeds toward Olympic immortality
Speedskater breaking free after 13 years in teammates' shadows
Last Updated: Wednesday, January 6, 2010 | 12:28 PM ET
By Brock Mason, CBC Sports
Kristina Groves is in a position she's never been in before: a heavy favourite to dominate the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
At the age of 33, Calgary's speedskating superwoman is ranked No. 1 in the world in the 1,500-metre event, and No. 3 in the 1,000 and 3,000.
"Every time she stands on the line, she is a contender for a medal," said two-time Olympic gold medallist, Catriona Le May Doan. "She is one of Canada's top medal threats in 2010."
Throughout her career, Groves has managed to avoid the spotlight - often skating in the shadow of teammates Clara Hughes and Cindy Klassen, both Olympic gold medallists.
But with all her recent success on the World Cup circuit, the attention has now shifted to Groves and expectations are high.
Drive for 5
Cindy Klassen displays her medals after becoming the queen of the 2006 Torino Games. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)She is considered a medal threat for all five of her Olympic events.
"I can do everything from the 1,000 up to the 5,000, and team pursuit. I'll try to qualify in every race," she told CBCSports.ca in an interview. "My focus is on skating and executing the best I can."
Capturing five medals in Vancouver will be no easy task. The feat has only been accomplished by one Canadian in Olympic history — Klassen did it at the 2006 Torino Olympics.
"I guess it is a unique situation for me to be in," said Groves. "Not many athletes skate in five different events, so just to be mentioned alongside Cindy is pretty amazing."
What's also amazing is the road she's travelled to get to this point. Her story proves good things sometimes do come to those who wait.
At the age of 18 — self-described as "fresh-faced and full of beans"— Groves left her hometown of Ottawa to pursue her Olympic speedskating dream.
Olympic journey 'neither fast nor easy'
She began training at Canada's best speedskating facility: the Olympic Oval at the University of Calgary.
Groves has chance to equal her friend Klassen's incredible mark of earning five medals in one Olympic Games. (Terje Bendiksby/Associated Press)But the journey to the Olympics was "neither fast nor easy," in her own words.
"I was not a standout young skater by any standard, and most would not have pegged me to become a world champion, but I transcended my lack of talent by working extraordinarily hard," she wrote in a recent article for the University of Calgary alumni magazine.
Despite her hard work and determination, Groves didn't get close to the podium in her first seven years on the World Cup circuit.
During that time, she began to question whether she had what it took to succeed.
"I think for me it was good to have a little bit of doubt, because it made me focus on the important things and it made me work harder," she said.
Being the underdog was challenging for Groves, but she continued to hold onto her Olympic dream.
With nowhere to go but up, Groves began to steadily improve. First, she qualified for the junior national team, then moved to the senior team, and by 2002 was representing Canada at the Salt Lake City Olympics.
Leaving Salt Lake empty-handed, Groves continued to work hard. At the 2006 Torino Olympics, she won silver medals in the 1,500-metre event and team pursuit.
"She worked very hard on her technique over the years and even when her teammates started reaching the podium, she didn't panic," said Le May Doan.
"She is having success because of her abilities, but also because of her patience."
Community advocate
Groves has become strong advocate for sport development groups Right to Play and Youth Education through Sport. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)While Groves was dedicated to working on her on-ice technique, she also got involved in her community.
She's become a strong advocate for sport development groups Right to Play and Youth Education through Sport. She also works with Clean Air Champions.
Groves visits schools in the Calgary area to speak with students about her experience in sport. Goal setting, hard work and life as an athlete are common topics.
Her positive outlook on life and passion to help others have also had a strong impact on her peers.
"Kristina is a great athlete and a great person. She is very respected by her teammates and also by her competitors," said Le May Doan.
"She is always encouraging others and for that, she's a true Canadian role model."
Groves said it's difficult to predict how she will do at the Olympics.
"Everyone has a different route and different path to get there and at the end of the day, it's just who's the best at the Games."
