Michael was yesterday selected for Beijing 2022 following strong results at world cup races.
He will compete in the 1500m and is hoping to receive a place to compete in the 10,000m.
Michael, who hails from Palmerston North, is an inline skating world champion who made the switch to ice after being inspired while watching countryman Shane Dobbin, now his coach, at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
The switch was a resounding success and resulted in Michael being named to the New Zealand team for Pyeongchang 2018.
Competing at his first Winter Olympics, he came tantalisingly close to a medal, placing fourth in the 5000m and fourth in the team pursuit alongside Dobbin and Reyon Kay.
Since then, Michael has continued competing on the world cup circuit, claiming numerous world cup podium finishes.
He said a huge amount of work went into his selection and he was thrilled to be back in the New Zealand team.
"It means so much to me to be selected for my second Winter Olympic Games.
"I’m really looking forward to getting to Beijing and showing what I can do.
"I’m aiming to make some waves over there. I know I’m capable of doing something special and I’m really excited to get racing.
"It’s always an absolute pleasure to put on the black suit and wear the fern. I can’t wait."
Ice Speed Skating New Zealand president Roderick Jones said Michael was a driven and dedicated athlete who had proven Winter Olympic credentials.
"This selection speaks volumes to the efforts and sacrifices Peter has made," Jones said.
"In New Zealand, we have ice rinks suitable for short track, not speed skating, which means Peter has had to live and train overseas, and all during the upheaval and uncertainty of the Covid pandemic.
"The whole ice skating fraternity in New Zealand wishes Peter all the best as he chases his dreams of Olympic success."
Michael is in Germany, where he is training for Beijing.
His first competition at the Olympics will be the men’s 1500m on February 8.
He becomes the sixth athlete confirmed in the New Zealand team for Beijing, joining 2018 Wanaka bronze medallists Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and Nico Porteous, Queenstown skier Alice Robinson, Queenstown freeskier Margaux Hackett and Wanaka freeskier Finn Bilous.
