Apolo Anton Ohno
Short-track speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno is the most decorated winter Olympian in U.S. history, winning eight medals over three Olympic Winter Games.
Speedskating originated in the Netherlands as early as the 13th century, where frozen canals became natural racecourses for skaters traveling between towns. Over time, these informal races evolved into organized competitions, laying the foundation for the modern sport. Speedskating is one of six sports to appear at every Olympic Winter Games.
The sport first appeared as a men’s-only event at the inaugural Winter Olympics in 1924. Women’s speedskating was added to the Olympic program at the 1960 Winter Games in Squaw Valley.
Today, Olympic speedskating is contested in two distinct disciplines: long track and short track. Long-track speedskating takes place on a 400-meter oval, with two skaters racing at a time against the clock using long, powerful strides and precise pacing. Short-track speedskating is held on a much smaller oval, with multiple skaters racing head-to-head in fast-paced, tactical competitions where positioning and agility are critical.
To gain as much ground as possible with each stride, speedskaters skate in a deep crouch, with their stomachs and thighs nearly touching. Skin-tight racing suits and specialized blades help reduce air resistance and maximize efficiency on the ice.
One of the greatest feats in Winter Olympic history was achieved by Eric Heiden at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, where he won gold medals in all five long-track speedskating events.
Short-track speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno is the most decorated winter Olympian in U.S. history, winning eight medals over three Olympic Winter Games.
Speedskater Bonnie Blair was well known for her throng of family and friends and she gave them plenty to cheer about, winning five gold medals and one bronze over four Olympic Winter Games.
After an ankle injury ended her speedskating career, Connie Carpenter-Phinney took up cycling and won a gold medal in the Olympic women’s cycling debut event at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games.
After failing to win a medal in his first three Olympics, speed skater Dan Jansen set a world record and won gold in his final Olympic race, the 1,000 meters in the Lillehammer 1994 Olympic Winter Games.
Eric Heiden won an unprecedented gold medals in all five distances at the Lake Placid 1980 Olympic Winter Games, from the 500-meter sprint to the grueling 10,000-meter race.
Speed skater Jack Shea in 1932 became the first American to win multiple gold medals in a single Olympic Winter Games. He was killed by a drunk driver weeks before his grandson won Olympic gold.
