U.S. speed skater Jill Rookard said competing at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver has helped her relax and focus better at the Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
“The first time I was just so overwhelmed and the arena seemed so big, and now it just seems a little bit smaller. I’ve been there, done that,” she said. “I’m actually able to focus a lot more now and also have a lot more fun. It’s kind of crazy, but I’m just having a good time here this time around.”
She teased teammate and first-time Olympian Emery Lehman, who is just 17 and soaking up the atmosphere, and joked she hasn’t been giving Lehman any advice: “I’m just kicking his butt.”