It's one thing to grow up with Olympic spirit. It's another to grew up in it like long track speedskater Casey Dawson did.

Casey grew up in Salt Lake City. His hometown hosted its first Winter Games in 2002 and in some ways, the Olympics never left.

"I grew up here, so I was surrounded by it. So ever since I was born, pretty much," says Casey.

Casey was 2 years old during the 2002 Games. He and kids he grew up with benefitted from the Olympic venues. Most, like the Utah Olympic Oval, are still in existence today and serve as both elite training grounds and community recreation centers.

Kids get into Olympic sports like speedskating through after school programs. Casey took an "intro to speed skating" class at the age of 10 and got hooked.

Casey says, "I got coached by Olympians when I was 10 years old. I think that's what kept me in sports. I could go speedskating and go to ski in the mountains."

Casey went from that intro program to the national team in just seven years.

He made his Olympic debut in 2022 and won bronze in team pursuit at the 2022 Beijing Games. Milan-Cortina will be his second shot at Olympic gold.

On this Dying to Ask:

What Utah does to get kids into Olympic sports at a very early age
Why the Utah Olympic Oval is known as the fastest ice on earth.
And we'll start with a funny, yet kind of gross story about a badge of honor for U.S. long track speed skaters. Find out what it takes to make Coach Ryan Shimabukuro's Instagram page!

Growing Up In The Shadow Of The Olympics With Casey Dawson