The five-time gold medalist is now the team surgeon.

I didn’t get into skating to make financial gains. I knew it wasn’t something in my plans. I felt that if I did do endorsements it would interfere with the goals that I had.

At age 8, we had a career week at school. I knew then that I wanted to be a doctor.

Focusing on physiology while I was training was a hobby. Now sports is the hobby.

The competition that really was my coming out as a speedskater was the World Championships in 1977. It came down to the last race, the 10,000 meter. I was paired with the Olympic champion from the year before, Piet Kleine [from the Netherlands]. I went head-to-head with the guy and beat him and beat my personal record by 27 seconds.

I thank people when they remind me of what I used to do, and I really appreciate the fact that they recognize that what I did was pretty special.

As time goes by, I think people misunderstood some of the things that I said. Somebody asked me, “How does it feel to have five gold medals?” And I remember saying, “I’d rather have a new warm-up suit.” At the time, as an amateur athlete, it was more important to me to have something you could use that was more practical.

I became interested in cycling while I was training as a speedskater. I was fortunate enough to train with one of the premier U.S. teams and race in some of the biggest races in the world, like the Tour de France.

[My 1986 Tour de France crash] was an eye-opening experience. As an athlete you feel invincible. Then you realize you sometimes don’t have control of what happens.

I felt a little bit let down [over the 2002 Olympics opening ceremonies]. But I got over it. I think now I still wouldn’t show up, but I would have a more politically correct response.

We need to encourage the present team to understand that they have a big responsibility. They are role models representing the U.S., and what they do reflects directly on our country.

Sometimes I get a little jealous of the salaries of some of the skaters I work with. But I’m very grateful now that I did not continue skating. It allowed me to pursue my education and become a doctor.

It’s important to have a strong role model, a mentor, who you can talk to and rely on. It can get a little bit crazy, and it’s nice to have someone who you can look up to and respect. Experience helps.