The 2022 Olympic Winter Games are officially underway in Beijing, and three Ocala speed skaters will be representing the United States.
The Winter Games kicked off with today’s opening ceremony, and the events will run through Sunday, February 20. Due to a 13-hour time difference, numerous events will occur in the early morning hours.
Ocala resident Joey Mantia is currently at the top of the 1,500-meter rankings. This is his third trip to the Olympic Winter Games.
In the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, he finished 15th in the 1,000-meter race, 22nd in the 1,500-meter race, and his team finished 7th in the team pursuit.
The 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea saw him finish 4th in the 1,000-meter race, 9th in the mass start, 8th in the 1,500-meter race, and 8th in the team pursuit.
Mantia is scheduled to compete in the following events:
- Men’s 1,500-meter on Tuesday, February 8 at 5:30 a.m.
- Men’s team pursuit on Sunday, February 13 at 8 a.m.
- Men’s team pursuit on Tuesday, February 15 at 1:30 a.m.
- Men’s mass start on Saturday, February 19 at 2 a.m.
Fellow Ocalan Erin Jackson is the current top-ranked 500-meter skater. In November of 2021, she became the first black American woman to win a World Cup event.
At the U.S. Speed Skating Olympic Trials in January, Jackson had a costly slip during a qualifying 500-meter race and she just missed out on an Olympic roster spot. Teammate Brittany Bowe felt that Jackson had done enough to earn a trip to Beijing, and Bowe relinquished her spot to Jackson.
Jackson is scheduled to compete in the following event:
- Women’s 500-meter on Sunday, February 13 at 8 a.m.
Ocala resident Brittany Bowe helped the United States earn its only speed skating medal during the 2018 Winter Olympic Games when her team finished in 3rd place during the team pursuit.
After relinquishing her spot in the 500-meter race to Jackson, Bowe was awarded a last-minute spot in the race and will now compete alongside her teammate.
Bowe is scheduled to compete in the following events:
- Women’s 1,500-meter on Monday, February 7 at 3:30 a.m.
- Women’s 500-meter on Sunday, February 13 at 8 a.m.
- Women’s 1,000-meter on Thursday, February 17 at 3:30 a.m.
To view a complete schedule of upcoming events, along with results, visit the 2022 Olympic Winter Games website.