Maria Garcia

2006 Olympic Short Track Speedskater
World Cup and World Championship Team Member

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2009, 2008, 2007, 2003, 2001 World Cup Team Member
2008 U.S. Championships (St. Louis, MO)- Silver Medal (500m)
2008 World Cup (Beijing, China)- Set new American record in 500m
2006 Winter Olympic Games- 4th place, 3000m Relay Team; 1500m Alternate
2006 Winter Olympic Games (Torino, Italy)- Short Track Speedskating Team
2005 U.S. Olympic Trials- 4th place
2004, 2003 World Championship Team
2004 U.S. Short Track Championships- 4th place
2004 U.S. Junior Short Track Championships- 1st place
2003 Junior American 500m Record Holder
2002, 2001, 2000 U.S. Junior Championships- 1st place

BACKGROUND

Maria Garcia represents the true American dream. Born and raised in Southern California, Maria grew up in a Mexican-American household. Her father emigrated from Mexico as a teenager, determined to give his family everything the world had to offer. Maria is a five-time World Cup team member, 2006 Winter Olympian, and a 2010 Olympic Long-Track Speedskating Trials qualifier.

Maria Garcia first started figure skating at the age of five. Though she took naturally to the sport, figure skating wasn’t financially feasible for her family. At 11 years old, her mother saw a poster at the ice rink advertising to try speedskating for $3. With passion for skating and a natural talent for speed, Maria made the switch. Within three months, she competed at the Nationals speedskating competition and placed third in her age group.

Maria has achieved much success within the sport. Missing the 2002 Olympic trials due to a severe knee injury, she was honored by the LA84 Foundation by running the Olympic Torch Relay through Los Angeles. When she broke her back in October 2004 at a World Cup in China, Maria was determined not to miss another chance at the Olympics. She came back and won the U.S. Jr. Championships a few months later, and then pulled off another win at the Olympic trials, earning a spot on the 2006 Olympic team.

Years of hard work, dedication and perseverance have shown her that dreams really do come true. After an injury at the 2009 Short Track Olympic Trials prevented her from qualifying for the Short Track Speedskating team, Maria immediately decided that she would stop at nothing to pursue her goal. Maria decided to learn the Long Track Speedskating discipline, and qualified to compete at the Long Track Olympic Trials. Though she ultimately did not make the team she continues to be a part of the speedskating community.

Maria trains and coaches speedskating at home in Carson, CA. She is currently pursuing a degree in nursing while also studying for a career as a sports psychologist. Maria hopes to volunteer with the Doctors Without Borders program someday.

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