Facebook Twitter
Sunday, March 26, 2023 | 
Brigham Young Sports Olympics

Video: BYU student, U.S. luger Kate Hansen’s pre-race dance routine at Olympics grabs worldwide attention

By Brandon Judd Brandon Judd
SHARE Video: BYU student, U.S. luger Kate Hansen’s pre-race dance routine at Olympics grabs worldwide attention
The United State's Kate Hansen dances to warm up before her second run in the women's race of the luge World Cup at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. Hansen placed fourth.

The United State’s Kate Hansen dances to warm up before her second run in the women’s race of the luge World Cup at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. Hansen placed fourth.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
1 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States starts her second run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Kate Hansen of the United States starts her second run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Jae C. Hong, ASSOCIATED PRESS
2 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States brakes in the finish areas after her second run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Kate Hansen of the United States brakes in the finish areas after her second run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Dita Alangkara, ASSOCIATED PRESS
3 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Michael Sohn, ASSOCIATED PRESS
4 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her second run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her second run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Natacha Pisarenko, AP
5 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Natacha Pisarenko, ASSOCIATED PRESS
6 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States waves to supporters after finishing her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Kate Hansen of the United States waves to supporters after finishing her first run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Dita Alangkara, ASSOCIATED PRESS
7 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Michael Sohn, ASSOCIATED PRESS
8 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States starts her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Kate Hansen of the United States starts her first run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Jae C. Hong, ASSOCIATED PRESS
9 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States starts her second run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Kate Hansen of the United States starts her second run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Jae C. Hong, ASSOCIATED PRESS
10 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States brakes in the finish areas after her second run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Kate Hansen of the United States brakes in the finish areas after her second run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Dita Alangkara, ASSOCIATED PRESS
11 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Michael Sohn, ASSOCIATED PRESS
12 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her second run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her second run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Natacha Pisarenko, AP
13 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Natacha Pisarenko, ASSOCIATED PRESS
14 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States waves to supporters after finishing her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Kate Hansen of the United States waves to supporters after finishing her first run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Dita Alangkara, ASSOCIATED PRESS
15 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Michael Sohn, ASSOCIATED PRESS
16 of 18
Kate Hansen of the United States starts her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Kate Hansen of the United States starts her first run during the women’s singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.

Jae C. Hong, ASSOCIATED PRESS
17 of 18
Some coaches catch Kate Hansen dancing to warm up before her second run in the women's race of the luge World Cup at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. Hansen placed fourth.

Some coaches catch Kate Hansen dancing to warm up before her second run in the women’s race of the luge World Cup at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. Hansen placed fourth.

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
18 of 18
The United State's Kate Hansen dances to warm up before her second run in the women's race of the luge World Cup at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. Hansen placed fourth.
Kate Hansen of the United States starts her second run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Kate Hansen of the United States brakes in the finish areas after her second run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her second run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Kate Hansen of the United States waves to supporters after finishing her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Kate Hansen of the United States starts her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Kate Hansen of the United States starts her second run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Kate Hansen of the United States brakes in the finish areas after her second run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her second run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Kate Hansen of the United States waves to supporters after finishing her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Kate Hansen of the United States speeds down the track in her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Kate Hansen of the United States starts her first run during the women's singles luge competition at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014, in Krasnaya Polyana, Russia.
Some coaches catch Kate Hansen dancing to warm up before her second run in the women's race of the luge World Cup at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City on Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. Hansen placed fourth.

BYU student Kate Hansen knows how to get her groove on, and she's not afraid to show it off for the world to see.

NBC Sports Network's broadcast of the first two runs of the women's luge event at the Sochi Olympics captured Hansen dancing as a part of her pre-race routine on Monday, and it created quite a stir.

"Honestly, I'm in my own world," Hansen said during a post-race TV interview on the network. "It doesn't matter who's staring, I'm still going to dance."

Hansen sits in 10th place in the women's singles luge event after the first two runs, with a total time of 1:41.375. The final two runs of the luge competition take place beginning Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. MT.

Hansen's pre-race dance routine came about after she broke her foot in October during team selection races. Because she had trouble running, as well as walking, she began to dance to warm up for races.

After making the United States' luge team in December, she chose to keep dancing because, "It's working for me."

Who is Hansen listening to as she dances?

"Strictly Beyonce," she said in the interview. "My girl, Bey! She just gets me fierce and I get stoked. I've got good mojo on, so it's how I roll."

Deseret News photographer Kristin Murphy captured Hansen dancing during her pre-race routine at a World Cup event at Park City's Utah Olympic Park in December.

web_1298171.jpg
web_1298172.jpg

Hansen's dancing skills are also on display on her YouTube page, katehansen92, where she has compiled several music videos with other athletes. Here's one of those videos:

Related

Next Up In BYU sports
Change may be on the way for the transfer portal and college football recruiting
Here’s when Utah ties are headed to NFL rookie minicamps
How have BYU players drafted since 2000 fared in the NFL? It runs the gamut
Why pro soccer star Ashley Hatch finished her degree at BYU
Here’s how much Cincinnati, Houston and UCF will reportedly pay to enter the Big 12 early
Contract released: What is new Utah assistant men’s basketball coach Chris Burgess’ salary?