Pressure is part of competing in the Olympics, an international event where the best athletes in the world give their best performances. Probably no athlete has ever faced as much pressure in the Olympics as speedskater Dan Jansen. The world record holder in the 500-meter sprint race and the winner of many international competitions, Jansen suffered both disappointment and tragedy in his attempts to win an Olympic medal. After suffering defeats in three straight Winter Olympics, Jansen stood at the starting line of his last Olympic race, not knowing if his dream would ever come true.

Dan Jansen was born June 17, 1965, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the youngest of nine children of Harry, a police lieutenant, and Gerry Jansen, a nurse. He grew up in West Allis, Wisconsin, with his five sisters and three brothers. The Jansen house was only a block away from the rink where the annual North...