Chad Hedrick
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Chad Hedrick is an American inline speed skater, born in Texas. Hedrick revolutionized the inline speed skating world with his unique technique, called the double push or DP. It is now the standard skating technique for the elite skaters.
During his career he won 50 world championships. He has a brand of inline skating wheels named after him.
In 2002, he switched to ice speed skating, in order to be able to win a medal at the Olympic games. In February 2004, a year and a half after he made his switch, he won the 2004 World allround speed skating championship, knocking more than a point of the world record points, reducing it to 150.478. On 12 March 2004, Chad won the gold medal in the 5000 metres during the 2004 World Single Distance Championships, which were held Seoul, South Korea. In 2005 he succesfully defended his 5000 metres worldtitle in Inzell, Germany. At the 2005 World allround speed skating championship he lost his title to Shani Davis.
Hedrick is arguably the most famous inline skater in the world.