Shani Davis, Chad Hedrick Nab Gold and Bronze at the Olympics

Shani Davis and Chad Hedrick stood side by side on the Olympic podium having seemingly buried the hatchet under the ice in Vancouver. Whether the feud, which began during the 2006 Olympics, is over or not, isn't important. Watching the men on the podium together holding the American flag made you proud. Davis and Hedrick will never be bosom buddies, but it was nice to see them act civilly towards each other long enough to honor their country.

With the 1,000 meter race over and the medals awarded, gold for Davis, silver for Tae-Bum Mo, and bronze for Hedrick, the excitement is building for the next race, the 1,500 meter. While Davis is the favorite, Hedrick has gained confidence with his performance in the 1,000 meter, and he is the only man to beat Davis at the 1,5000 meter this year. Whoever wins, it should be a competitive race. "Shani and I drive each other, just make each other better. At the end of the day, what more could Americans ask for?" Hedrick is right.

Saturday's 1,500 meter race, will most likely be Hedricks last Olympic event. Hopefully he can go out a medal winner. Whenever his career ends, Hedrick can retire with satisfaction, knowing he was one of the best American speed skaters of all time. With his new bronze medal, Hedrick now has medaled in four different distances.

For Davis, the gold medal in the 1,000 meter made him the first man to defend a 1,000 meter gold medal. While he won the gold as expected, the skater explained how difficult it was. "If I hadn't nailed that last outer turn I wouldn't have finished first... That race took every I had--physically and mentally...I went as fast as I could go...I'm very very happy."

In what will likely be their last race against each other, Davis and Hedrick have a chance to write another ending to their previously strained Olympic relationship. It's cold and icy in Vancouver, but the podium doesn't have to be. If the two skaters medal in the 1,000 meter , they'll have medaled in 2 out of 3 races they competed in, and 2 out of 3 aint bad.

Sources:

Shani Davis Defends 1000m Olympic Gold Medal

Davis, Hedrick put grudge behind them on 1,000-meter podium