But away from the track, she may be one of the most laid-back people you'll ever meet - 'Whatever, man' serves as one of her typical utterances. But usolympicteam.com wanted the dirt, not only about her busy career, but what goes on inside her head as well.

Q1: You've participated in the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. How are they comparable?

CHRIS WITTY: In the Winter Olympics, you can know more of the athletes. The athletes are more approachable. But the overall feeling is the same between the two Games.

Q2: How long would you like to do both?

CHRIS WITTY: That's a good question. As long as I can. Why not?

Q3: How do speed skating and cycling compare?

CHRIS WITTY: For speed skating, I do a lot of cycling in the summer. It's all about building the quads and leg muscles. Plus the events I chose in cycling, like the 500-meter time trial, are similar.

Q4: How does cycling help your speed skating?

CHRIS WITTY: It keeps me focused. I have competed in a lot of major events, including the Olympics, which I think is an advantage for me. This will be my fourth Olympics now, so I think I'll have that advantage over other athletes, where it may be their first time around or even their second and they might not be sure how to handle it. It might be a shock to them, but for me I'm used to it and I know what to expect.

Q5: What was the year like after you won two medals at the 1998 Games?

CHRIS WITTY: On the mental side, it was tough. After '98, I was training and I felt I had to do it. I asked myself why I felt I had to do it. So I took a step back and saw that I love skating and I know I want to do it. Now I can look back at the Nagano Games and say, 'Wow, I won two Olympic medals.' I appreciated it then, but I appreciate it a lot more now.

Q6: What former Olympians do you look up to?

CHRIS WITTY: I've also looked up to people like Carl Lewis, Flo Jo (Florence Griffith-Joyner), Eric Heiden, Dan Jansen and Bonnie Blair.

Q7: Does one moment stand out in your career?

CHRIS WITTY: When I got the bronze medal in the 1500 (at the 1998 Games). That was a total surprise. I had never medaled in the 1500 before.

Q8: At the 1998 Olympic Winter Games, some people labeled you a 'rebel.' Why was that?

CHRIS WITTY: I think part of that was with Bonnie (Blair) retiring, they wanted to show a new person and compare us. I was annoyed a little bit. I have a tattoo, but so does Jen (Rodriguez) and a bunch of other skaters.

Q9: Tell us about your tattoo.

CHRIS WITTY: I've got a tattoo of the Notre Dame leprechaun on my hip. It actually was a spur of the moment thing. I went with a friend and we thought it was a cool decision.

Q10: What might people not know about you?

CHRIS WITTY: Actually, I think I'm a pretty calm person. I like to relax, read the paper, read a book, watch TV, or maybe just go hiking or hang out and enjoy the outdoors. I'm a lot quieter than what people might think.