Amazing Moments in Olympic History: Bonnie Blair

Bonnie Blair is a four-time Olympic speedskater who has earned six medals, becoming the most decorated American athlete in Winter Games history. Five of those six medals are gold, and she is the only American woman in any Winter Olympic sport to have won that many gold medals. In addition, three of those five gold medals were won in consecutive 500-meter races, and she was the first woman to ever win that event three times in a row.

Blair grew up in Champaign, Ill., practically with skates on her feet since the time she could walk. Her father got all of his six kids involved in speedskating when they were youngsters. When Blair was in her teens, a time when most kids are exploring and trying new things, Blair decided she wanted to devote her life to the sport. She loved to skate.

In order for her to train at an elite level and have a shot at competing in the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympic Games, the speedskater had to move to Europe. However, the cost for the trip added up to $7,000. Neither Blair nor her parents had that kind of money. So her community chipped in, and the Champaign Policemen's Benevolent Association held fundraisers. In the end, Blair was able to travel to Europe.

The trip paid off, and Blair made the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team. The then 19-year-old finished eighth in the 500-meter in Sarajevo. She didn't win any medals, but she became familiar with the Olympic format and with competing against the best speedskaters in the world.

For the next four years, Blair practiced for the Calgary Olympic Winter Games in 1988. She set a world record of 39.1 seconds in the 500-meter race, securing her first gold medal and becoming the first American woman to win speedskating gold since 1976. In the 1,000-meter event, she skated to a bronze.

Four years later, Blair made her third trip to the Olympic Winter Games, this time in Albertville, France. There, she claimed two Olympic gold medals. She defended her 500-meter victory and became the reigning champion in the 1,000-meter event.

Lillehammer in 1994 marked Blair's fourth and final trip to the Winter Games. Like her previous Olympic experience, she stood atop the podium twice: once for her third consecutive 500-meter conquest and again for her second consecutive 1,000-meter triumph. A month later, the then 30-year-old broke the world record she set in the 500-meter in Calgary six years ago, skating to the finish line in 38.99 seconds.

Throughout all of her accomplishments, Blair's large extended family cheered her on all the way. She had a cult following that only grew with each Winter Games in which she raced. Her cheering section was nicknamed "The Blair Bunch," and more than 60 members flew out to Lillehammer to watch her win her final two Olympic golds. McDonald's created a TV commercial featuring Blair and four of "The Blair Bunch," which these days can be viewed on the Internet.

Now 45, Blair lives in Milwaukee and is married to fellow Olympic speedskater Dave Cruikshank. They have two children: a son, Grant, and a daughter, Blair. Although she and her husband both have speedskating pasts, neither of their children currently participates in the sport. Grant does, however, play hockey.

Bonnie's bubbly personality and unceasing smile made her a favorite on the media circuit, and she continues to do motivational speaking. She also is on the board of directors for Milwaukee's Pettit National Ice Center and U.S. Speedskating.

Fifteen years after her final trip to the Winter Olympic Games as a competitor, Blair remains one of the most recognized names in the Olympic Games and in her sport.