Shani Davis On The Cusp of Olympic History

Chicago speed skater Shani Davis has a chance to do something in Sochi that no male American Winter Olympian has ever done -- win a three consecutive gold medals in the same event.

Davis competes next week in his signature event, the 1,000 meters, along with two other events.

"I'm prepared. It doesn't matter the ice condition or the venue at sea level, I'm just going to out there and do my best, I've trained really hard for this, so I'm just going to do the best I can. Whatever I come away with I'll be more than satisfied," Davis told NBC 5's Rob Elgas Wednesday in Sochi.

Davis has decided to skip a media session on Thursday, deciding instead to concentrate on his events and pull back from speaking publicly.

"I soak it in as much as I can you know, obviously I'm here to take care of business, but I'm a well-balanced athlete and an individual, so I make time to do things that are kind of fun, but I always make sure to get my training and good rest in as well," Davis said.

One of Davis' obstacles in obtaining his golden goal in the 1,000 meters is fellow Chicagoan Brian Hansen, but the teenager may be a little green this time around.

Davis enters the Olympics on a hot streak, winning three of the four 1,000 meter races on the World Cup circuit. His biggest competition should come in the form of Korean Mo Tae-Bum and Denis Kuzin of Kazakhstan.

Coincidentally, only one female Winter Olympian has been able to accomplish what Davis is setting out to do in Sochi -- Illinois speed skater Bonnie Blair, who won a 500m gold medal in 1988, 1992 and 1994.

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