United States Speedskating long track head coach Tom Cushman has announced his retirement from coaching ©USS

United States Speedskating's (USS) Matt Kooreman has praised retiring long track head coach Tom Cushman's dedication to the sport.

Cushman is swapping the ice rink for the art gallery as he retires from coaching and the long track programme and director Kooreman said he would be sorely missed.

"Tom has brought an uncompromising passion, intelligence and relentless pursuit of excellence to US Speedskating over the past five years," Kooreman said.

"He was a champion for his team and for the sport of speed skating at all times.

"US Speedskating is extremely luck to have had Tom serve as our national team coach and I was even luckier to have him as a friend, mentor and co-worker."

Olympic bronze medallist Jennifer Rodriguez of the United States was coached by retiring United States Speedskating long track head coach Tom Cushman ©Matt Dunham
Olympic bronze medallist Jennifer Rodriguez of the United States was coached by retiring United States Speedskating long track head coach Tom Cushman ©Matt Dunham

Cushman tendered his resignation to US Speedskating ahead of moving to Carmel in California to open an art gallery.

Having competed at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada, Cushman went on to coach Olympic medallists Chris Witty, Jen Rodriguez and Chad Hedrick.

Four-times Olympian Rodriguez became the first Cuban-American to compete in the Winter Olympics and claimed bronze medals in both the 1,000 and 1,500 metres events at Salt Lake City in 2002.

Yesterday, Rodriguez was inducted into USS's Hall of Fame.