Erik Henriksen, a 1975 graduate of Champaign Central High School, was a three-time Olympian in speedskating (1980-88). He finished as high as 11th in the 1,000 meters at the 1984 Olympics. In 1999, the three-time U.S. Sprint champion and two-time World Sprint Championships bronze medalist was voted into the Amateur Skating Union Hall of Fame. Henriksen currently lives in Mahomet.

Congratulations to you, Katherine, and to you, Jonathan, on being named to the 2010 United States Olympic Team. You are part of a great local tradition that began with Roger Capan back in 1968. We were last represented by women 16 years ago, and it is 22 years since Champaign sent a man to the Olympic Games. Thanks for breaking this drought! It was an honor and pleasure to have coached you early in your careers.

I have a few suggestions to help you achieve your best and maximize your experience.

The Olympics are by nature loud and fast paced. There is something going on all the time. Find a quiet place to pull your antennae in and power down from all the noise, action, excitement, pressures and commitments. It could be your room, a hallway lounge, any place that you can be alone with your thoughts.

Protect your food and beverages. When eating at the Village, stay with your food. If you have to leave the table for any reason turn your tray in, go through the line and get a new meal. While it is highly unlikely, an unattended tray of food could be tampered with.

Also, the food is really good, but you don't want to go to the starting line bloated, so no gluttony until after your events.

Your family and friends are going to want to see how you live in the Olympic Village. Try to do this at a time far enough away from your competition and training times.

Have a great time! All these years later and I still think of those wonderful days quite frequently.

Your competitors are exactly the same that you face in World Cup and World Championships. You have excelled against them before Vancouver, try to make these events like any other important race.

Well, that's about it. You two have already achieved great things and you know what works for you.

Welcome to the club of Olympians. An Olympic speedskater has technical acumen, the highest anaerobic threshold, tremendous aerobic capability and tremendous power that athletes in few other sports can boast.

Enjoy this, the memories last forever.

Erik Henriksen