Paige Schwartzburg

Other sports

She competed in roller speed skating at junior national level in the United States of America. (Facebook page, 27 May 2016)

Reason for choosing this sport

She was inspired to begin speed skating after watching the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. "I saw girls I used to compete against during my years as an inline skater who were now competing in the Olympics in speed skating on ice." She initially took up short track but an accident on the ice led to her switching to speed skating. "I actually came out here [Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America] and wanted to do short track to start off with. And then [in] my first month out here I was actually skating behind somebody and they kicked back and sliced my face open. I wasn't wearing my neck guard or anything. I remember blood gushing from my face so I didn't know if my neck had been cut and I was just like, 'Okay no, I'm gonna go to long track'."

Hero / Idol

US basketball player LeBron James. (teamusa.org, 09 Nov 2016)

Name of coach	Ryan Shimabukuro [national], USA
When and where did you begin this sport?	She began inline skating at age seven before stopping at age 14. She took up speed skating in 2010 in Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America.

Sporting philosophy / motto	"Give your best in what you do and you cannot be disappointed." (Athlete, 16 Nov 2019)
Other information	SECOND CHANCE She competed in roller speed skating as a junior but her parents banned her from skating at age 14 after she had to have her stomach pumped in hospital as a result of drinking alcohol while at the national championships. She eventually dropped out of high school and spent time in jail as she dealt with drug and alcohol-related issues. "I was 18 and there was a warrant out for my arrest. I spent 40 days in jail and it straightened me out. I told myself I could never go back there again." After working for a while in a local gym, her mother and grandmother convinced her to travel to the Utah Olympic Oval in the United States of America to try to become a speed skater. "My mum and my grandma are my rocks. Everyone was 100 per cent supportive. They wanted me to get out of Ocala [Florida] and get out of trouble. I came to the Oval in 2010 and got my first equipment from Tom di Nardo before I even got an apartment. Those experiences made me who I am. I came from jail and here I am on the national team. I feel myself getting stronger. I've travelled the world for competitions. I never thought I'd be here." (Healthy Living Magazine, 29 Jan 2016; teamusa.org, 11 Jun 2019) TAKING UP SKATING At age seven her brother suffered a severe brain injury and eventually had to relearn how to walk. He worked with Renee Hildebrand, a renowned inline and ice skating coach. One day while waiting in Hildebrand's office, Paige saw photos of speed skaters and thought she'd like to give it a try. "I loved it from the moment I put on my skates. I was a natural. I loved going fast. We'd crash and get road rash but it didn't matter because you just know when you love something." (teamusa.org, 11 Jun 2019)

www.facebook.com/paige.schwartzburg

Memorable sporting achievement	Being selected to represent the United States of America at a World Cup event for the first time. (Athlete, 16 Nov 2019)
Hobbies	Photography, working with organisations to prevent animal cruelty, cycling, art, listening to music, drinking coffee. (teamusa.org, 11 Jun 2019; Instagram profile, 10 Jan 2021)
Famous relatives	Her great-grandfather Raymond Dodge competed for the United States of America in athletics [800m] at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. (deathwishcoffee.com, 06 Aug 2017; teamusa.org, 11 Jun 2019; SportsDeskOnline, 22 Jan 2021)