Speedskater Shani Davis may skip 2014 Olympics

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two-time gold medalist Shani Davis is not ready to commit to competing at the 2014 Olympic Games...

Apr 20, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) – Two-time Olympic speedskating champion Shani Davis is not ready to commit to competing at the 2014 Sochi Games.

“We’ll see,” the 27-year-old American said on Tuesday. “I mean, I’ll continue to skate, and if my heart still carries me over in four years, then I’ll be there.”

Davis was in Washington with other U.S. Olympians to help a sponsor, and to visit the White House on Wednesday to meet President Barack Obama.

Davis won a second consecutive Olympic gold at 1,000 meters at Vancouver in February, along with a second consecutive silver at 1,500.

When one signature-seeking fan asked Davis on Tuesday if he’d be at the next Olympics, the athlete replied: “I’ll try, man. You never know.”

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Earlier, when asked by the Associated Press about his fellow Olympian and friend Apolo Anton Ohno’s plans for 2014, Davis said the pair hasn’t spoken much since the Vancouver Olympics.

“I think he’s retired,” Davis said, then stopped himself and sought to start over.

“I don’t want to speak for him,” Davis continued. “If he didn’t say that, please don’t print that. I have no idea. But that’s kind of the idea: (Vancouver) was his last Olympics. But you never know. He might decide to come back. He’s strong enough, talented enough to do it. So I hope that he does actually come back.”

For the record: Ohno clearly has contemplated retirement but as recently as two weeks ago wouldn’t definitively rule out a return to competition.

His three medals in Vancouver gave Ohno a U.S.-record eight career Winter Olympic medals.

Might Davis prod his friend into continuing?

“He’s his own man. I support him, no matter what he does,” Davis said. “If he wants to skate, if he wants to act or launch his … supplement thing, I support him.”