US Speedskating at the Olympics

The first Winter Olympic gold medalist from the U.S. was Charles Jewtraw of Lake Placid, N.Y. Jewtraw won the gold in the 500-meters on January 26, 1924 in Chamonix, France.

US Speedskating has produced more Olympic medals - 91 and counting - than any other sport, as well as several of the greatest feats in Winter Olympic history. Among them are the five gold medals won by 21-year old Eric Heiden at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, and the capture of the first Olympic medal for short track speed skating by Cathy Turner in 1992. She followed that up four years later with another gold in the 500-meters. And of course, there is Bonnie Blair - the most decorated female U.S. Winter Olympian (six medals) - and Apolo Anton Ohno - the most decorated U.S. Winter Olympian (eight medals).