THANK YOU, SHANI !!!

Inspiration

Two-time Olympic Champion speedskater Shani Davis inspired the creation of DC-ICE during an initial visit to Washington, DC, following his participation in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. 

Invited by DC-ICE'S founders,which  included his former youth coach, Coach Nat and two families living near DC's Fort Dupont Ice Arena, Shani graciously accepted and sparked into existence a novel learn-to-speedskate program that has since served hundreds of youth in Washington, DC.

Olympian in Life

Shani returned to DC-ICE after winning Olympic Gold in 2006, where he was honored in the Martin Luther King Day parade, and again in 2010 after become the first man to defend an Olympic title in the 1000m.  In 2012, he headlined Skate of the Union, which brought skaters of all disciplines & backgrounds to the historic RFK Stadium campus. Shani also visited unannounced on several occasions. His unassuming participation serves as a bright example of Olympism.

Legacy

Shani graciously served as the Honorary Chairman of Inner City Excellence and continues to inspire DC-ICE youth of all backgrounds in their daily pursuit of personal - and skating - excellence.

THANK YOU, SHANI!