Greta Myers switched to speed skating: 'Your country needs you'

Minnesota-born speed skater Greta Myers shares how a Russian coach changed her life with four words: "Your country needs you." Growing up in Shoreview skating on frozen ponds at Bucher Park, Greta played hockey for 15 years alongside her two sisters and older brother. She loved the competitiveness and going fast, but when a Russian high-performance coach watched her hockey practice and told her to try speed skating, she couldn't say no.

Strapping on speed skates for the first time, Greta immediately felt the difference—the longer blades allowed her to go much faster than hockey skates, and she was hooked. But choosing between hockey and speed skating wasn't easy. Her hockey coach wasn't happy when she missed practice for speed skating competitions, giving her less playing time, which ultimately pushed her further into speed skating. She discovered she preferred individual sports where success is up to her rather than requiring everyone to be on the same page.

Minnesota pride runs deep for Greta, who loves representing her home state and the supportive community there. She watched legends like Michael Phelps and Simone Biles as a child and always knew the Olympics was something she wanted to achieve. Training with Brittany Bowe and Erin Jackson daily, Greta calls them incredible role models who are down to earth, super hard workers, and great examples for young girls entering the sport. The technical aspects of speed skating fascinate her—it's a very fine art where little things make the biggest difference. Having blades set up correctly to track corners properly and touch the ice just enough for optimal pressure can make or break a race. Greta emphasizes that you can be as strong as you want, but technical efficiency is what makes you truly fast. She's still learning and finds it rewarding that the more you clean up technically, the faster you go.