Midland native set to compete in speedskating's most grueling event
MIDLAND -- It should come as no surprise that Ryan Bedford has countless fans of all ages in the city of Midland, but what these fans may not realize is that the 23 year-old Olympian is also huge fans of them.
"The support that the community has showed...is the most unexpected thing I could imagine," said Olympic longtrack speedskater Ryan Bedford. "Dow Corning, especially, they've showed me so much in the past couple months that I never could've expected it. But you know, you do nice things for people, and you get nice things in return."
As congenial as he is off the ice, Bedford is just as cutthroat on it, a necessary trait to succeed in the incredibly grueling 10,000 meter competition. But if you're thinking that a physically brutal race against the world's top skaters has Bedford concerned, think again.
"I'm not nervous at all. I just want to have fun," he began. "I don't really care how I do, I know I'll do well. I've prepared for it the right way, the last four years. There's no nerves going into it, I've done what I had to do. I beat the people I had to beat to get on the Olympic team, and now it's just fun."
Having fun is nothing new for Bedford, as his middle school teacher can vouch for. Christine Brillhart surprised her former pupil with a newspaper article featuring an eighth-grade Ryan dressed as a mad scientist for a class project. And if there's one person who could make a seamless transition from mad scientist to Olympic speedskater, it's Ryan Bedford.
"I do remember him being very conscientious, because he had a very demanding schedule, even in middle school," said Brillhar. "But he was able to find out what work he was going to miss, (and) keep up on that work."
Ryan has not lost touch with his days of yesteryear, fully appreciative how his own journey has come full-circle as he greets the many kids who now idolize him.
"I was the kid that was asking for autographs from past Olympians and stuff like that," said Bedford. "I was that kid, and to grow up and see these guys asking the same of me. You know, I thought I was nervous at the time asking for autographs, but you know, I see these kids and they have a sparkle in their eye. And they want to do the same thing that I've done."
"He loves the kids, which is fantastic. 'Cause all these kids go crazy when he comes back to town," added Joe Rohraff, the speedskating coach for both Midland and Bay City. "I think he's just a perfect person to be in this situation, 'cause I know he gives back a lot to the people that look up to him."
When Bedford paid a visit to the Midland Speedskating Club in late January, he was officially a U.S. Olympian. But in his eyes, he was an Olympian in title only.
"I really don't think it's gonna hit me until I have that flag on my skinsuit, and I'm out there and I'm really racing for the U.S.," said Bedford. "You know, that's when I truly am an Olympian. That's when I've been there and I've done it. I mean, I can say I'm an Olympian now, but I haven't walked through the Opening Ceremonies yet. Soon as I do that, then...I'm really an Olympian."
