|
|
||
|
|
SPORTS: Bay City's ALEX IZYKOWSKI Goes
For the Gold in Torino
By Thomas Baird
The 20th Winter Olympics will be
held in Torino, Italy from February 10th - 24th. Alex is one of
five men that compose the U.S. Olympic team that features defending Gold
Medalist Apollo Ono. Alex qualified for the Olympic team at the
U.S. Short Track Championships held in Marquette, Michigan in
December. Alex's specialty is the 1500-meter race in which he will
compete in Torino on February 12th. Alex is also expected to be
chosen for one of the relay teams for a race on February 15th.
Bay City has had a connection with speed
skating for over the past four decades. Back in 1964 Essexville's
Terry McDermott won a Gold Medal in the 500 meters in Innsbruck,
Austria. Bay City also has claimed home to three other National
Champions in Speed Skating over the years. Kim Klein and brother
John Klein and Steve Hickner all claimed National Championships in their speed skating
days.
Indeed, Kim Klein has played a
very important part in the coaching of Alex Izykowski in his
dream to make the U.S. Olympic Team. Proud parents Al and
Joann Izykowski who have basically followed their son every inch of
the way are going to Torino to watch their son in the Winter Olympics
along with daughter Megan, who is a promising speed skater
herself.
When asked of how he felt about his son's
success to date, Al Izykowski responded that he was satisfied
beyond all expectations. "When you have a child who dreams this big
it's too much to imagine.
Remember that there were no guarantees
for this. But both Joann and I have been there for all the milestones.
You never would know when it all could end." But the proud father adds,
"When Alex had to answer the bell he stepped it up and did just that."
Alex has been competing in competition
since 1995 and has won several age group championships in the United
States, competing internationally and placing in those competitions.
Alex is currently in Colorado Springs in the final stages of training.
After the Olympic games are done Alex is already planning on future
competition.
When talking to Al about the development
of Alex as a speed skater, he said, "I knew nothing about speed
skating. Then someone put us in touch with Kim Klein. She was a World Class Speed skater in her own
right back in the late 1970s and early 1980s and was asked to help coach
Alex back when he was a young 10-year old starting in 1995. Kim was a
huge help for the development of Alex as a speed skater. She put him on
a fast track to success and prepared him to be handed over to the
National coaches."
Bay City has stepped up to the plate to
assist the Izykowski's in raising funds. There has been one fundraiser
so far and another is planned for January 29th at Ricker's
Green Hut in Bay City. It will be a Chicken Dinner for $6.50 with
the entire amount going directly to cover the expenses of the family to
travel, secure Opening Ceremony tickets, event tickets and housing,
which will be one of the biggest expenses.
Asked about how he felt about the
upcoming trip to Torino, Italy, Al cautions about the unknowns involved
with costs over in Europe. "The finances would be overwhelming," he
notes. "I was very concerned about paying for everything, but things
seem to be falling into place. I'm a little less concerned today. The
community is being supportive of Alex and us. We appreciate that."
The family has spent countless dollars in
their travels over the years following Alex. Direct donations can be
made to the Bay County Speed Skating Club c/o Jim Arnold,
treasurer, 902 West
Hart, Bay City, MI 48706 or
on-line at
Izzy.com.
|
|
|
|
||
