Casey Dawson claws to eighth in Olympic 5,000m, eyes more chances in Milan
On Sunday, Feb. 8 (ET), American speed skater Casey Dawson battled back from an early stumble to finish eighth in the men’s 5,000 meters at the Winter Olympics in Milan, clocking 6:11.88 as an animated crowd looked on, including United States Vice President JD Vance.
Early misstep, late fight
Dawson admitted the race began on the wrong foot, saying he stumbled at the start before settling into rhythm. “It happens,” he said afterward. “On the big stage, there are a lot of nerves.” Despite the opening hitch, the 25-year-old from Utah pushed through the distance to land inside the top 10 of a deep 20-skater field.
Dawson, who entered with hopes of contending, kept his composure through the middle laps but ultimately could not claw back enough time to threaten for the podium. Even so, the result keeps him in the conversation as he pivots to his remaining events.
Record pace crowns the podium
Norway’s Sander Eitrem seized gold with an Olympic-record 6:03.95, underscoring blistering form two weeks after becoming the first athlete to break the six-minute barrier at the distance. Czechia’s Metodej Jilek captured silver in 6:06.48, while Italy’s Riccardo Lorello sent the home crowd into a roar by edging compatriot Davide Ghiotto for bronze, 6:09.22 to 6:09.57.
Eitrem’s command performance set the tone for a fast session on a temporary track that demanded adaptability from the field. The quartet at the front split the race with decisive early pacing and steady negative laps, leaving slim margins for any mistakes elsewhere.
The pink backpack that stole the spotlight
Equally visible as Dawson’s long-track stride was the pink backpack dotted with hearts that he’s been carrying around the Games. It’s not just a fashion statement: Dawson picked it up as a penalty for finishing last in a fantasy football league with 11 other skaters. “Whoever loses has to carry this around for the year,” he explained in a video recorded ahead of the Games, adding there’s also a matching “foot phone case”—a fake foot that doubles as a phone holder.
The skater has embraced the bit. “It keeps me humble. It keeps me grounded. It puts a smile on my face every time I see it,” he said recently. “It’s kind of ridiculous, but it’s fun. It keeps everything fun and light-hearted.” The quirky accessory has become a conversation starter throughout the Olympic Village and a light touch amid the pressure of elite competition.
Variable ice challenges on a temporary oval
Dawson didn’t shy away from assessing the racing environment. With the oval assembled specifically for the Games, he noted that conditions can differ from more permanent venues. He described the ice as variable and suggested the packed stands could further complicate temperature control. “It’s going to be a little bit hard to control the ice temperature because everyone in the stands is going to warm up the building,” he said. “So it’s definitely hard. So you just kind of have to believe in your skating, trust your skating.”
Those adjustments place a premium on execution at the gun, precise corner work, and steady lap discipline—areas Dawson and his team will target as they prepare for the next races on the schedule.
Next up: 1,500m, 10,000m and team pursuit
Dawson’s Olympic week is far from over. A bronze medalist in the team pursuit at the 2022 Beijing Games, he is set for additional starts in the 1,500m and 10,000m, as well as a return to the team pursuit. The middle distance offers a sharper, tactical test, while the 10,000m plays to endurance and patience—two arenas where a clean start and stable ice can make a world of difference.
Post-race, Dawson sounded more pragmatic than disappointed, framing the 5,000m as a lesson rather than a setback. With the nerves of the first individual event behind him and a better feel for the surface, he’ll look to channel the day’s frustrations into sharper opening laps and a stronger finish in his remaining chances.
A charged scene in Milan
The 5,000m unfolded under bright lights and a charged atmosphere, with a vocal crowd adding a layer of intensity to every pair on the ice. With high-profile attendees in the stands and a host nation pushing hard for medals, the session delivered spectacle as much as speed—an environment where even experienced skaters can feel the stakes from the opening stride.
For Dawson, the takeaway was clear: reset, refine, and get ready. The pink backpack will still be there, a playful reminder to keep things in perspective, as he aims to turn lessons learned into momentum for what comes next.
