Canada’s Denny Morrison to skate 1,000 in Sochi

SOCHI, Russia (AP) - Denny Morrison will compete in the 1,000-meter Olympic speedskating race after his Canadian teammate Gilmore Junio dropped out.

Junio was 10th in the 500 on Monday. The 1,000 is Wednesday at Adler Arena.

Team spokesman Antonio Faiola said Tuesday Junio knows Morrison is Canada’s top skater at the longer distance, so he wanted to give the team its best chance for a medal by letting Morrison compete.

Morrison says he’s relaxed going into the race and considers it preparation for the 1,500, which he will skate later.