John-Henry Krueger's dedication to short track speed skating is such that the 22-year-old Pittsburgh man would travel all the way to D.C. twice a week in his youth for elite training, often not getting home until 4:30 a.m., USA Today reported.
Krueger is considered to have an outside chance at a medal in the 1500 meters at 5 a.m. Saturday. (Watch it live on NBCSN)
He started skating at 5, when his mother would take him and his borther to the rink where she coached figure skating. The boys were more interested in racing.
A 16-year-old Krueger won three medals at the 2012 World Junior Championships, but swine flu contracted during the U.S. Olympic Trials derailed his attempt to make the 2014 U.S. Olympic team.
Kreuger returned to win three out of four events and the overall gold at the 2015 National Championships.
His first World Cup medal was a 1500-meter bronze in 2016.
