Gangneung, South Korea • He stepped to the line introduced as a two-time Olympic gold medalist, still the world-record holder in the same event that might’ve been his last on this stage. Shani Davis lifted both of his arms, waved his hands to the crowd inside the Gangneung Oval, skated the men’s 1,000 meters in 1:08.78, which left him in third place at the time.
The momentum from reaching over 30 mph kept him going around the Oval, hands on both knees during his cool-down lap. Fans seated adjacent to the media seats screamed his name, and Davis immediately acknowledged them.