Two years ago I started in-line speed skating and I never really thought or cared to know about other famous speed skaters. Well, just recently after the 2002 Winter Olympic Games I became interested in ice speed skater Joey Cheek.

Since the Olympics I've become interested with this amazing athlete. When I was given this assignment to research anything I wanted, I chose to do it on Joey Cheek. I had already known that Joey is a former in-line speed skater, so already him and I have something in common. Just knowing that he skated on in-lines in his early days was the only thing I knew about him.

Now that I am more of a dedicated speed skater, I thought by doing my research paper on Joey Cheek would help me mentally and physically with accomplishing my goals as a speed skater. The...