LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (FEBRUARY 19, 2020) --- Lake Placid continues to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the 1980 Olympic Winter Games this Saturday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m., when four-time Olympic speed skater Dan Jansen shares his emotional journey to an eventual Olympic gold medal, at the Lake Placid’s High Peaks Resort.

Jansen, a five-time World Sprint Championship medalist and seven-time overall World Cup champion, competed in the 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1994 Olympic Winter Games.

Prior to competing in the 1988 winter Games, in Calgary, Alberta; where he was the favorite to win the 500 and 1,000-meter races, he was informed that his 27-year-old sister, Jane, was dying from leukemia. Shortly afterwards he was notified of her passing.

With a heavy heart, he competed in the 500-meter and 1,000-meter events and fell during both races.  For his efforts, he was awarded the U.S. Olympic Spirit Award.

Four years later, in Albertville, France, he finished just off the podium, fourth in 500-meters, but was 26^th in the 1,000-meters.

Finally, in 1994, Jansen set a new world record en route to the 1,000-meter gold medal. He was also chosen to carry the U.S. flag during the Games’ Closing Ceremony.

In 2004, Jansen was inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame and in the memory of his sister he established the Dan Jansen Foundation which provides financial support and distributes funds to charities with an emphasis on aiding individuals and families affected by cancer. 

Dan Jansen will be available for media interviews, from 6-7 p.m., also at the High Peaks Resort. His presentation and public meet and greet begins at 7 p.m. Media planning on attending contact Jon Lundin, 40^th anniversary communications, Email: JLundin@orda.org, Mobile: 518-637-6885.

Other events remaining on the 40^th anniversary schedule include:

Wednesday, Feb. 19

Movie Miracle, Palace Theatre

Thursday, Feb. 20

Meet & Greet USA bobsled Olympians, past, present and future, Mt. Van Hoevenberg Lamy Lodge

Friday, Feb. 21

80s Family Fun Park, Olympic Jumping Complex

Meet & Greet USA skeleton Olympians, past, present and future, Mt. Van Hoevenberg Lamy Lodge

Saturday, Feb. 22

Book Signing Boys of Winter, with author Wayne Coffey, Bookstore Plus

Fun Zones, each evening, Mid’s Park, Main St.

For a full schedule of the 40^th anniversary of the Lake Placid Olympic Winter Games, visit LakePlacid40.com.

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