Emotional Parra makes Olympics

KEARNS — Olympics or not, Derek Parra's friends and "family" on the U.S. Speed Skating team were there for him when he needed them most.

Two days after revealing he was going through an emotionally draining divorce and that it was taking a physical toll on him as he tried to secure a spot on the 2006 Olympic team, Parra had one last chance to will himself to Torino.

And when he toed the start line before starting the 1,500 meters at the Utah Olympic Oval Friday afternoon, Parra had dozens of fellow speedskaters quietly — or, in many cases, vocally — cheering for him. Some cheered from the stands while others hung themselves over the padding surrounding the ice shouting words of encouragement as he skated past.

"Last night," Parra said after finishing third in the event he won Olympic gold in four years ago, "I tried to believe again."

Now, he can relax and not just believe. His third-place finish was good enough to lock in that coveted roster spot.

"It was really emotional for us," said Chad Hedrick, who narrowly missed breaking his own world record in the event. "He's been the backbone of our team for a long time."

Hedrick's time of 1 minute, 42.8 seconds was just two-hundredths of a second off the pace he set on the same ice in early November.

Parra's revelation, he said, helped lift a weight from his psyche. By opening his heart in such a personal way, Parra not only unburdened himself in a way, he received an unexpected boost from those around him. He said he got dozens of supportive e-mails and a handful of notes from well-wishers in the day leading up to Friday's race.

"There were times that I didn't think I could (qualify for the Olympics,)" Parra said. "But the people I've surrounded myself with over the years didn't let me get too down."

Racing in the second-to-last pairing, Parra knew he needed to finish at least third to make sure he would be Torino-bound. Despite slipping a couple of times and skating a few "sloppy turns" Parra had the best time of the day.

"I was glad to see the number one by my name," Parra said.

Joey Cheek finished second in the race.

Jennifer Rodriguez won the women's 1,500 with Chris Witty second and Catherine Raney third.

But the day belonged to Parra.

"I know he's been going through a really tough time," Rodriguez said. "But he really put one together today. I'm really happy for him."

Hedrick, who is Parra's roommate during the training months, has been providing emotional support over the past few months and is one of Parra's biggest cheerleaders.

"He went out and showed everybody," Hedrick said. "We were out there crying and giving each other hugs. I knew he had it inside him."

Now, with his Olympic team position in place, Parra said he will try to find the first flight possible to Florida where he will see his 4-year-old daughter, Mia Elizabeth, for the first time since October.

From there, he'll concentrate on defending his gold medal in Torino.

"I'm not done yet," Parra said. "I still have work to do."

---

E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com