Long Track Speed Skating

US speed skater Shani Davis intends to be in the spotlight when competition begins at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Just don't expect the star skater to step into that light before then.

Davis declined most interview requests following Monday's practice session at the Richmond Oval, but spoke to Dutch television station NOS and said that his focus remains on the task at hand and his time is committed to the oval ice.

"I'm not interested in partaking in those types of events," the Chicago native said of the media's demand for his time. "I'm here to skate, but I'm also here to do my best so the less I'm distracted the better."

Poised to become one of the most decorated Winter Olympians to compete for the United States and potentially being one of the biggest stars in Vancouver, Davis is not getting caught up in all that surrounds an event as big as the Olympics.

"When I don't have to do the things that are distracting, the better I can focus and the happier I will be."

The 27-year old is a three-time 1,500m and two-time 1,000m world champion - the world record-holder at each distance. His gold in the 1,000m and silver in the 1,500m at the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games made him the first African-American athlete to win gold in any Winter Games.

In Vancouver, Davis will race in four of the five individual events, skipping only the Team Pursuit.

He had been expected to attempt to match fellow American Eric Heiden's one-Games record of five speed skating golds after qualifying in every event, but has dropped out in an attempt to bolster his chances in his strongest disciplines - the 1,000m and 1,500m.

"I declined my position on the team pursuit," Davis told NOS. "I'm not interested."

Davis' decision was blasted by teammate Chad Hedrick, suggesting that he should have raced in the team pursuit, but Davis feels he can live with his choice.

"I'm in paradise right now. I'm totally relaxed and I'm doing very well, so I'm happy and I'm excited."