"I moved to Salt Lake City and began training," he said. "In 2013, I made it."
Quinn participated in the 2014 short track speedskating time trials, but did not qualify for the Olympics. That summer, he decided to switch to long track.
"I figured maybe I might like it more," he said. "I had kind of had my fill of short track."
In 2018, Quinn once again took part in the Olympic trials, this time taking part in the mass start event, consisting of 16 laps. Again, he was met with defeat.
"I wasn't really considered a favorite going in, but I thought I had a chance and it was obviously a defeat, but I told myself I'll give myself four more years to go after it," he said.
So, for the last four last years, Quinn has trained nearly seven days a week, five to six hours a day, in one last attempt to make Team USA. That moment, came on January 9, when Quinn won the trials and punched his ticket to Beijing.
"I think a large part of it is being able to look in the mirror and say, 'No matter what happens, I'm going to do everything in my power and go for it again," he said.
Owens, who has coached speedskating for more than 50 years, is anxiously awaiting his former skater's Olympic debut.
"It's just going to be a thrill to see him on the ice and anything and above that is just icing on the cake as they say," said Owens.
Speedskating semi-finals and finals are scheduled to take place on Feb. 19.
