The Associated Press
Jennifer Rodriguez of the U.S. skates to the bronze medal in women's 5,000-meter speedskating on Wednesday.

Rodriguez claims her 2nd bronze

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published Thursday, February 21, 2002

KEARNS, Utah -- Jennifer Rodriguez hated her first two weeks on clapskates. She had trouble skating, detested the cold weather and resented wearing long-sleeved pants and shirts all the time.

Good thing she stuck with speedskating.

The 25-year-old former inliner from Miami earned a bronze medal -- her second of the Salt Lake City Olympics -- in the 1,500 meters Wednesday.

"I don't think it's totally sunk in yet," she said. "Four years ago, I would have never thought this was going to be possible."

Skating in the final pair, Rodriguez crossed the line in 1 minute, 55.32 seconds -- not her fastest time, but good enough for another medal. She finished third in the 1,000 on Sunday. She was seventh in the 3,000.

"It's more exciting this time," said Rodriguez, whose father is Cuban. "Last time, I couldn't really enjoy it because I had another race in three days. I plan on enjoying this."

She'll share her medals with her fiance, speedskater KC Boutiette of Tacoma, who persuaded her to switch from inline to speedskating.

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