Print the Biography/Short

Jessica Kooreman

United States

SportShort Track
FederationIDSTUSA21410198301
NOCUnited States
Born14 Oct 1983 in Melvindale, MI 
GenderWomen
ResidenceSalt Lake City, UT, USA
Higher educationBusiness Management - Ashworth College: Salt Lake City, UT, USA
OccupationMotivational Speaker, Real Estate Agent
LanguagesEnglish
FamilyHusband Mike
Other namesJessica Smith
Personal Bests
EventRecordDateLocation 
Personal Bests
  Event RecordDateLocation 
    500m 44.188 19 Aug 2017 Salt Lake City, UT  
    1500m 2:20.259 15 Feb 2014 Sochi  
    3000m 4:51.625 16 Mar 2014 Montreal  
Main Achievements
 
Main Achievements
World Championships
Event  
World Championships
    3000m Relay   1    
World Team Championships
Event  
World Team Championships
    Team     2  
General Interest
General Interest
Other informationRETIREMENT
She retired from the sport after she competed at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang at age 34. "I know that I've been skating 32 years competitively and I haven't taken a season off between inline and ice. I've been on the international circuit since I was 12, so it's time for a rest. I wanted a gold medal at the Olympics but I started late and I gave it everything I had. Could I keep going? Do I feel like I'm burned out? No. I have loved speed skating. I have loved the competitiveness, but I'm ready for a family." She gave birth to her first son Ryker in January 2019, and her second son Lennon in October 2020. (Instagram profile, 09 Oct 2020, 10 Jan 2019; eu.freep.com, 01 Feb 2018)

SKATING COUPLE
Her husband Mike also competed in short track at international level. They met at a World Cup event in Russian Federation and married in 2015. He has worked as the programme leader for the US speed skating team. (nbc4i.com, 03 Oct 2017)
 
HobbiesWatching movies, shopping, spending time with friends, playing golf, hiking, cooking. (nbcolympics.com, 20 Oct 2017; Facebook page, 07 Oct 2017)  
InjuriesShe tore the quad muscle in her thigh prior to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. She delayed a decision on whether to have surgery on the injury so she could compete at the Games. (ONS, 04 Feb 2014)

She injured her left shoulder after falling at the 2007 World Inline Skating Championships in Cali, Colombia. She was forced to undergo surgery, which included inserting seven pins and a plate in her shoulder. (inlineplanet.com, 02 Feb 2009)
 
Other sportsShe is an eight-time inline skating world champion, winning gold over a number of distances between 1999 and 2006. She has also represented the United States of America in speed skating at World Cup events. (SportsDeskOnline, 30 Oct 2015; inlineplanet.com, 02 Feb 2009)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Reason for choosing this sportHer parents skated when they were younger and encouraged her to try inline skating. She switched to the ice because she wanted to compete at the Olympic Winter Games. She initially tried speed skating, but did not like the time trials so switched to short track.  
General Interest
General Interest
Most influential person in careerHer husband, her parents. (nbcolympics.com, 20 Oct 2017; Athlete, 02 Feb 2017)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?She began roller skating races at age two, and switched to the ice full-time in 2008.  
General Interest
General Interest
Sporting philosophy / motto"Go hard or go home." (Athlete, 02 Feb 2017)  
Memorable sporting achievementPlacing fourth in the 1000m at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. (Athlete, 02 Feb 2017)  
Hero / IdolUS speed skaters Jennifer Rodriguez and Bonnie Blair, US tennis players Venus Williams and Serena Williams. (Athlete, 02 Feb 2017; teamusa.org, Aug 2017; Athlete, 10 Feb 2013)  
Social Media
Social Media
www.facebook.com/JessicaSmithUSA/  
twitter.com/TheJessicaSmith  
jessicaonice.com/  
General Interest
General Interest
Famous relativesHer husband Mike competed in short track at international level, including winning the 5000m relay at the 2004/05 World Cup event in Spisska Nova Ves, Slovakia. He has also coached the German national team. (nbcolympics.com, 20 Oct 2017; nbc4i.com, 03 Oct 2017; SportsDeskOnline, 12 Feb 2005)  
Championships results
Year Competition Event Rank  
Championships results
    2011/2012 World Championships 3000m Relay2  
    2010/2011 World Team Championships Team3  
    2008/2009 World Team Championships Team3  
    2014 Olympic Games 1000m4  
    2008/2009 World Championships 3000m Relay4  
    2013/2014 World Championships Overall5  
    2011/2012 World Championships 1500m5  
    2013/2014 World Championships 1500m6  
    2011/2012 World Championships 1000m6  
    2014 Olympic Games 1500m7  
    2013/2014 World Championships 3000m Relay7  
    2010/2011 World Championships 3000m Relay8  
    2015/2016 World Championships 1500m10  
    2013/2014 World Championships 500m11  
    2012/2013 World Championships 1000m11  
    2011/2012 World Championships Overall12  
    2014/2015 World Championships 1500m12  
    2008/2009 World Championships 1500m13  
    2012/2013 World Championships 500m13  
    2013/2014 World Championships 1000m14  
    2014/2015 World Championships 500m14  
    2016/2017 World Championships 1500m14  
    2012/2013 World Championships Overall14  
    2008/2009 World Championships Overall15  
    2008/2009 World Championships 500m15  
    2015/2016 World Championships 1000m15  
    2014/2015 World Championships Overall16  
    2016/2017 World Championships Overall16  
    2016/2017 World Championships 1000m17  
    2012/2013 World Championships 1500m18  
    2014/2015 World Championships 1000m18  
    2015/2016 World Championships Overall20  
    2018 Olympic Games 1000m22  
    2016/2017 World Championships 500m22  
    2008/2009 World Championships 1000m24  
    2011/2012 World Championships 500m25  
    2015/2016 World Championships 500m28  
    2014 Olympic Games 500m30  
World Cups
Year Competition Event Rank  
World Cups
    2008/2009 Dresden 3000m Relay1  
    2010/2011 Dresden 3000m Relay1  
    2011/2012 Shanghai 3000m Relay2  
    2009/2010 Montreal, QC 3000m Relay2  
    2010/2011 Montreal, QC 3000m Relay2  
    2009/2010 Beijing 3000m Relay2  
    2011/2012 Moscow 3000m Relay2  
    2011/2012 Shanghai 500m3  
    2009/2010 Beijing 1000m3  
    2011/2012 Salt Lake City, UT 500m3  
    2010/2011 Quebec, QC 3000m Relay3  
    2008/2009 Sofia 3000m Relay3  
    2010/2011 Dresden 500m4  
    2014/2015 Dresden 1500m4  
    2008/2009 Dresden 1000m5  
    2016/2017 Calgary, AB 3000m Relay5  
    2012/2013 Dresden 1500m5  
    2011/2012 World Cup Classification 500m6  
    2014/2015 Dresden 3000m Relay6  
    2016/2017 Gangneung 3000m Relay7  
    2012/2013 Dresden 3000m Relay8  
    2010/2011 Dresden 500m9  
    2008/2009 Dresden 500m9  
    2016/2017 Dresden 3000m Relay9  
    2016/2017 Salt Lake City, UT 3000m Relay9  
    2009/2010 World Cup Classification 1000m10  
    2010/2011 World Cup Classification 500m10  
    2010/2011 World Cup Classification 1500m11  
    2017/2018 Shanghai 3000m Relay11  
    2016/2017 Salt Lake City, UT 1500m11  
    2016/2017 Shanghai 3000m Relay11  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 1000m12  
    2016/2017 Dresden 1500m12  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification 1500m13  
    2016/2017 Calgary, AB 1500m13  
    2016/2017 Gangneung 1000m13  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification 1500m15  
    2016/2017 Shanghai 1500m16  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 500m17  
    2011/2012 World Cup Classification 1500m17  
    2016/2017 Gangneung 1500m17  
    2012/2013 Dresden 1500m18  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 1500m19  
    2016/2017 Calgary, AB 1000m20  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification 500m21  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 1500m23  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification 500m24  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification 1000m24  
    2008/2009 World Cup Classification 1000m24  
    2017/2018 Shanghai 1500m25  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 1000m27  
    2011/2012 World Cup Classification 1000m27  
    2008/2009 World Cup Classification 1500m28  
    2016/2017 Salt Lake City, UT 500m28  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 1500m29  
    2016/2017 Shanghai 500m29  
    2008/2009 World Cup Classification 500m30  
    2016/2017 Dresden 1000m30  
    2015/2016 World Cup Classification 1500m32  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification 1000m33  
    2017/2018 World Cup Classification 500m35  
    2017/2018 Shanghai 1000m36  
    2014/2015 Dresden 1000m37  
    2009/2010 World Cup Classification 500m42  
    2015/2016 World Cup Classification 1000m50  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 1000m54  
    2016/2017 World Cup Classification 500m76