News

Emery Lehman Races In Second Career Olympic Games

by Chris Cole

Team USA speed skating continued its medal pursuit at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 with the men's 5000m. Emery Lehman (Oak Park, Ill.) finished the 5000m in 21st place at the Gangneung Oval on Sunday evening.

Skating in the second pair alongside Japan's Ryosuke Tsuchiya, Lehman finished with a time of 6:31.16.

"Going into the race, the ice was good and the preparation was good," Lehman said. "It’s on me to perform well and skate a little better than I skated."

His best 400m split was 30.19 seconds in the race's first full lap. Over the race's second half, his best split was 30.88 seconds.

"The early part of the race was good," said Lehman, who skated about 13 seconds off his personal best. "I just couldn’t relax into it as much as I hoped."

Lehman, who is the youngest member of Team USA long track speed skating for the second time in his career at age 21, placed 16th in the men's 5000m in the 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games.

The men's 5000m was Lehman's first event in PyeongChang. He will also compete in the men's Team Pursuit on Sunday, February 18.

"(The 5000m) definitely has a special place in my heart just because it’s my individual race and it was definitely a goal," Lehman said. "But now looking forward, the team pursuit in the bigger picture is more important."

For results, post-race interviews and other media information, visit the US Speedskating Media Page.

Long track continues on Monday, February 12 with the women's 1500m. Live coverage of the race will be streamed on nbcolympics.com beginning at 9:30 p.m. KT (7:30 a.m. ET).

Quotes from Emery Lehman

  • "Going into the race, the ice was good and the preparation was good. It’s on me to perform well and skate a little better than I skated."
  • "I could shave a few tenths off every lap and make up for a lot of time in the race."
  • "(The 5000m) definitely has a special place in my heart just because it’s my individual race and it was definitely a goal. But now looking forward, the team pursuit in the bigger picture is more important."
  • "The early part of the race was good. I just couldn’t relax into it as much as I hoped."

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