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Bonnie Blair

Contact Information

Address: c/o 306 White Pine Rd., Delafield, WI 53018-1124.

Awards and Accomplishments

c. 1971	Won Illinois state championship in speed skating for age group
1985-94	U.S. sprint champion
1986	Set world's record in 500 meters
1987	Won World Cup in 500 meters and 1000 meters
1988	Won gold medal in Olympics speed skating in 500 meters—set world's record—and won bronze in 1000 meters
1989	Won the World Sprint Champions
1992	Won gold medals in 500 meter and 1000 meter at Olympics in speed skating
1993	Won gold in 500 meters at World Championships
1994	Won gold medals in 500 meters and 1000 meters at Winter Olympic Games in speed skating; won gold in 500 meters and 1000 at World Sprint Championships and World Cup; named Babe Zaharis Female Amateur Athlete of the Year; named Sportswoman of the Year by Women's Sports Foundation
1995	Set 500 meters speed skating world record at Calgary; retired in March as speed skater; named Sportswoman of the Year by Women's Sports Foundation; won world sprint championship
1997	Given Sports Humanitarian Award, World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame

Where Is She Now?

After retiring from skating, Blair had two children (son Grant and daughter Blair), worked as a motivational speaker, and wrote a book about her accomplishments, A Winning Edge (1996). She remained connected to speed skating by serving as a coach and conducting clinics. Her husband, Dave Cruikshank, was also a speed skater and she served as his technical consultant. Blair continued to serve on the board for U.S. Speed skating and also worked for the Olympic Committee. She did some television commentary for speed skating. In addition, Blair was active in charity work and continued to do some commercial endorsements for companies like General Mills products at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

Additional topics

Famous Sports StarsSpeed SkatingBonnie Blair Biography - Began Skating, Competed At Olympic Trials, Won Olympic Gold, Lost Focus As A Skater - SELECTED WRITINGS BY BLAIR: