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Olympic speedskater Casey FitzRandolph, frustrated with his rate of progress over the last two years, has decided to part ways with the U.S. Speedskating program and instead train with the Canadian National Team.
The Verona native will depart for Calgary, Alberta in early June and plans to spend at least the next year skating at the notoriously fast Olympic oval, although he will still represent the United States in competition.
FitzRandolph, who recorded two top-10 finishes in the 1998 Nagano Games, will be 27 when Salt Lake City hosts the Winter Olympics in three years. Since that may be his final attempt at a medal, FitzRandolph doesn't want to leave anything to chance.
"I just don't want to do this halfway, and then in three more years be stuck right where I was after this past Olympics, knowing I've got the potential but not having done it yet," he said. "Why not see what I can do, and give it everything?"
FitzRandolph has made efforts to avoid burning bridges because he can foresee returning to the program as soon as next season. That's a scenario U.S. Speedskating executive director Katie Marquard would like to see unfold.