With a legacy to hone, speed skaters balance youth and experience

Canada will try to build on its Olympic speed skating legacy through a blend of youth and experience. Of the 17 skaters named to Canada’s long-track team on Wednesday, seven have been to the Olympics previously.

Regardless of the mixture, there is no diluting the focus on those skaters. Canada has won 33 Olympic medals in speed skating, more than any other country. Speed skaters have served as Canada’s flag bearer at five Olympics, six if you count the short-track team. That list includes two of the past three Winter Games.

For the women, most of the attention will fall on Christine Nesbitt of London, Ont., who won gold in the 1,000 metres at the Vancouver-Whistler Games four years ago. Nesbitt, who said the preparation for the 2010 Olympics drained her, has pledged herself ready to accept the challenges that come with being a top contender this time.

Denny Morrison of Fort St. John, B.C., who headlines the men’s team, has already passed one test. In danger of not qualifying for the Canadian team, Morrison skated in the final pair at the qualifying trials and made the cut.

If Olympic bloodlines mean anything, keep an eye on Jamie Gregg of the men’s team. He is the son of Randy Gregg, the former NHL player who was the captain of Canada's men's hockey team at the 1980 Games. Jamie’s wife, Danielle Wotherspoon-Gregg, will skate on the women’s long-track team. She is the sister of Jeremy Wotherspoon, a four-time Olympian in speed skating.

Canada’s top competition will come from the United States and the Netherlands, the latter featuring Sven Kramer and Ireen Wust.