Johnny Spillane

Johnny Spillane (born November 24, 1980) is an American athlete who competes in Nordic combined, a combination event consisting of ski jumping and cross-country skiing. Spillane is a world champion and three-time Olympic silver medalist. He announced his retirement from Nordic combined on April 18, 2013.

Early life Spillane was born to Jim and Nancy Spillane on November 24, 1980. He was raised in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and graduated from the Lowell Whiteman School. For the first couple years, he used alpine skis on jumps, not getting his first pair of jumping skis until he was 13.

Athletic career Spillane made the United States team for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, but did not compete in any events. The next year at the 1999 World Championships he placed 32nd in the individual event and 37th in sprint. Two years later, at the 2001 World Championships, he placed 32nd again in the individual event but vaulted to 14th place in the sprint event. At his second Olympics, the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City, Utah, he finished 32nd in both sprint and individual events. The .4 second difference between their times is the closest finish in the history of Nordic Combined events at the Olympics. Despite the near win, Spillane told media afterwards that he was happy to have won any medal.

In his second event, the 4×5 team event, Spillane helped earn America's second medal, another silver.

In his third event, the 10 km individual large hill, Spillane won the silver medal, finishing behind fellow American Bill Demong.

Post skiing career Starting with the 2014 Winter Olympics, Spillane has called ski jumping events for NBC Sports and Olympic Channel.