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Jennifer Rodríguez: Two Medals and Counting
Salt Lake update
 Jennifer Rodriguez won the bronze medal in the women's 1000-meter event at the Salt Lake Games. Rodriguez finished behind winner Chris Witty of the United States and Sabine Voelker of Germany. Rodriguez and Witty combined to give the United States its first multiple-medalists in a women's speed skating event since the 1976 Innsbruck Games. It was the first Olympic medal of Rodriguez's career. Rodriguez then won the bronze medal in the women's 1500. She finished 1.3 seconds behind Anni Friesinger's world record pace. Sabine Voelker took the silver.
Switching skates
Rodriguez grew up roller skating in her hometown of Miami, but she has since made the transition to become one of the top women's speed skaters in the world. Despite having only been on the ice for a little over a year heading into her first Olympic Winter Games, Rodriguez placed fourth in the 3000 meters at the 1998 Nagano Games. She competed in three other events in Nagano: the 1000 (13th), 1500 (eighth) and 5000 (10th). Rodriguez placed fourth in the 2000-2001 World Cup standings in the 1500 and was fifth in that event at the 2001 World Single Distance Championships. She also set U.S. records in the 1500 and 3000 at a World Cup event in Calgary in March 2001.
Making the transition
The main reason for Rodriguez's easy transition to the ice is her abundance of athletic ability, something that was clear during her roller skating days. Rodriguez was a dominant roller skater, winning a total of 12 World Championships medals. She also holds the distinction of being the only athlete to win World Championships medals in artistic roller skating (similar to figure skating) and speed roller skating. She went to the World Championships five times in artistic skating and twice in the speed events. She was named the 1991-1992 U.S. Roller Skating Athlete of the Year.
Starting young
Rodriguez began skating when she was invited to a birthday party at a roller rink in Miami when she was 4. She picked it up quickly and her parents, Emilio and Barbara, took her for lessons. By the time she was 5, she was competing in artistic and speed skating. Rodriguez qualified for the World Championships in speed skating for the first time in the 1992-1993 season, and by that time, in-line skates had been introduced. Rodriguez had to switch her skate style early in her competitive career on ice as well. In her first season on ice, she used traditional speed skates before switching to clap skates the following year. Rodriguez says her background in roller skating helped her with the switch because the clap skates feel similar to in-line skates.
Wedding bells
Rodriguez is engaged to U.S. speed skating teammate KC Boutiette and the two plan to marry in Miami on April 13, 2002. They live together in Park City, Utah, and enjoy snowboarding in addition to their skating. Their condominium is a short walk to the slopes. Rodriguez says she is a huge Miami Heat fan and loves center Alonzo Mourning.
Olympic firsts
Born to a Cuban father and an American mother, Rodriguez is believed to be the first athlete of Hispanic descent to compete in the Winter Games. She also is believed to be the first athlete from Miami to compete at the Olympic Winter Games. Her father, Emilio, immigrated to the U.S. in the 1960s. He is a commercial artist who, among other things, designed the logo for Miami's Joe Robbie Stadium. Rodriguez has a younger brother, Eric, who is not involved in skating.
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