Utah Short Track Speedskater Retiring After 2022 Winter Olympics
Feb 19, 2022, 6:07 PM | Updated: 6:16 pm
Ryan Pivirotto of Team United States competes during the Men's 500m Heats on day seven of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Capital Indoor Stadium on February 11, 2022 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
BEIJING — As we get closer to the end of the Olympics, we start hearing more from many athletes about how they’re going to train even harder for the next Games. Or, they’re calling it a career.
We all know Shaun White is retiring, but so is a short track speedskater who has given it his all.
The Beijing Games are Ryan Pivirotto’s second Olympics, but the first Games he actually skated in. He was an alternate for US Speedskating during the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.
He was only one of two American men on the short track team for Beijing, but dominated during Team Trials at the Utah Olympic Oval, securing him as the number one male short track skater.
Pivirotto had high hopes for Beijing, wanting to bring home a medal. However, the closest he came to the podium was 8th place during a team relay.
Even before going into Beijing, though, Pivirotto says he knew this would be his last Games.
“Um, it’s something I’ve been trying to wrap my head around this entire year. Really deciding if I wanted to give it my all. And, I’m relieved to say that, yes, I’m retiring, yes, I’m ready to move forward and to just begin a new life.”
Now, Pivirotto says he’s looking forward to earning degrees in Computer Information Sciences from Salt Lake Community College, and then from the University of Utah, where he is transferring this fall.
He’s also planning on getting married to his girlfriend — beginning a life he couldn’t have if he focused all he had on speedskating.
“You have to commit your entire life to it or else you won’t get anywhere,” Pivirotto said. “Everyone here, doesn’t matter what country they’re from, they’ve committed and sacrificed for this opportunity.”
Pivirotto says he has no regrets. He knows he can skate and compete with the best in the world on an Olympic level. It’s just, for him, he’s ready to begin the rest of his life.
