Shani Davis inspires pint-size speedskaters stateside

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share via Email
• Copy Link

  Link Copied

Gold and silver-winning Olympic speedskater Shani Davis is giving back to his hometown outside Chicago, by inspiring a new generation of kids to strap on some stakes and take to the ice.

WATCH THIS ‘TODAY SHOW’ REPORT ON DAVIS’ IMPACT ON CHILDREN HERE:
[MSNBCMSN video=”http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640″ w=”592″ h=”346″ launch_id=”36054757″ id=”msnbc781f2b”]

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

At age 6, it was at Evanston Speedskating Club where Davis laced up his first set of skates and now he wants the same opportunity for other kids. Sander Hicks, the club’s founder, has seen Davis grow from being a young, ambitious speedskater to being the role model he is today. Suddenly kids of all ages are putting on the blades.

Davis made a recent welcome home appearance at the club, and he didn’t come empty- handed. He surprised the club’s kids with brand new skates—a golden moment with their Olympic hero.