Jim Souhan: Davis retools image into some pure gold

RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Shani Davis doesn't know how to present himself to the public, doesn't know how to let his athletic brilliance outshine his pouty personality, or at least he didn't until he crossed the finish line Wednesday afternoon and unveiled a smile that might require the importing of a few more Zambonis.

Davis melted the ice, winning gold in the 1,000-meter speedskating. He melted the ice in his once-embarrassing relationship with American rival Chad Hedrick, who took the bronze in the 1,000. He might have even melted the ice with the American public, who got to know him in 2006 as a brilliant but whiny champion.

"It's a different type of energy," Davis said. "I feel like people are pulling for me to win, whereas before they might not have."

Pressed on having a better relationship with Hedrick, with whom he feuded publicly at the Turin Olympics, Davis said, simply: "That's great. That's good. I think it's a good thing."

Davis won the gold on a slow, sticky track that even developed a pothole this week -- Really? Canadians can't figure out ice? -- in 1 minute, 8.94 seconds. South Korean Tae-Bum Mo, the surprise winner of the 500 meters, took second in 1:09.12. Hedrick took bronze in 1:09.32.

The last time Davis and Hedrick shared an Olympic podium, they repaired to a news conference that led to Davis walking out while complaining about Hedrick. "I felt like what happened in 2006 rained on our parade a little," Hedrick said. "I mean, we won five medals there. Five!"

This time, Hedrick approached Davis during his victory lap to shake hands. They skated around the Richmond Olympic Oval together, carrying the American flag. They stood next to each other on the podium, holding the flag.

Hedrick and Davis played nice, and Hedrick was seen away from the rink hugging his wife and daughter before attending the news conference with Davis.

"Shani was great," Hedrick said. "He's great. He's untouchable in the 1,000."

Davis, of course, is too much of an individualist to make things nice and easy. He entered the 500, then pulled out after one heat, in effect using an Olympic race as a tuneup, offending some racers who believe that's far from the spirit of Olympic events.

Mo also admitted he asked Davis for technical help that Davis was unwilling to lend a competitor.

But we're a country that cares about results and images, and Davis earned the gold and provided one of the lasting images of these Games, that high-wattage smile after he kicked across the finish line and saw his time.

"When you become a world champion or an Olympic champion, you get this little thing on your back called a target."

Davis earned the gold in front of the usually wild Dutch fans, a loud American contingent, and the most famous sponsor of the American speedskating team, comedian Stephen Colbert of "The Colbert Report."

Before Davis raced, Colbert pretended to spread mayo and mustard on a sandwich with a skate blade.

Davis didn't need or create any sideshows Wednesday. He became the fourth American to win two gold medals in long-track speedskating, along with Eric Heiden (5), Jack Shea (2) and Irving Jaffee (2). Only Davis, Heiden, Joey Cheek and Hedrick have won three or more total Olympic medals.

Hedrick's bronze was his fourth. He and Davis will duel again Saturday in the 1,500 meters.

"We waited and worked for four years for this. We didn't want to let anything silly ruin this."

This time, people will remember Davis' smile and Hed-rick's handshake, and the way the American flag billowed between them.