Connor Howe skates to 5th in long track Olympic debut on record-setting day

For a time, Connor Howe believed he was ahead in his development as a long track speed skater. More recently, the idea of competing at the Olympics, as soon as Beijing 2022, became a realistic goal.

Such thoughts seemed far off, like a low-chance dream, when a nine-year-old Howe was watching the oval races on television from the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

"But every year it got more likely in my head," the Canmore, Alta., native told Calgary-based writer Scott Cruickshank recently. "It kind of just worked out. I'm pretty happy with where I am."

On Tuesday, Howe was at the Ice Ribbon oval in China's capital, where Canada's top long tracker in the men's 1,500 metres placed fifth.

The 21-year-old was fourth at the bell lap but couldn't make up ground on the top group over the final 400 metres and crossed the finish line in one minute 44.86 seconds.

"A relief, for sure," Howe told Radio-Canada of completing the first of his three scheduled events in Beijing. "It's hard not to get caught up in the excitement and the pressure of the Olympics. "Getting [it] out of the way, I can keep focusing on skating and what I can control."

A brilliant future ahead for Canada’s Connor Howe