Chris Witty

Chris Witty is a great speed skater. Chris was born on June 23, 1975 in West Allis, Wisconsin. Chris is one of four children. Her brother, Mike, is also a speed skater and cyclist. She liked to ride dirt bikes and skateboard with her older brothers. She began speed skating when she was a little girl. She won her first race when she was only nine, and she was wearing figure skates! Chris plays bass and acoustic guitar.

She competed in 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics as a cyclist. Chris is only the ninth American to ever compete in both summer and winter Olympic games. She won a Bronze medal in the 1500 meters and a Silver medal in the 1000 meters at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan. She won a gold medal in the 1000 meters in the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Chris said, "This is a great time for girls and women in sports," said Witty. "Girls don’t have to be cheerleaders any longer in order to participate. They can reach the greatest heights with commitment and work."

By Clara, fourth grade, 2002