Of the six, five were gold, making Blair the only American woman to ever win five gold medals in the games. She was the most decorated Winter Olympian in U.S. history when she retired in 1995. Petruso, A. She dominated the sprint events at three Olympic Games (1988, 1992, and 1994), winning five gold medals and one bronze. In 1987, she won the World Cup in both the 500 and 1000 meter races. She was grateful for all of her successes, however, and for all the wonderful memories they gave her. She was only 5'5" and 125-130 lbs. She holds five gold medals, for the 500-meter and 1,000-meter events, as well as a bronze medal for the 1,000-meter event. [5]:45 Blair also began to pick-up more endorsements, including sports marketing group Advantage International. Janofsky, Michael. Blair also continued to improve her already great technique. When Derek Parra set a new world record in the men's 1,500-meter speedskating competition at the 2002 Winter Olympics, h, Paavo Nurmi [34][35] At the 1993 World Sprint Championships, Blair did not win any of her four races finishing behind rival Ye Qiabo. New Blair on big oval: Bonnie's daughter is a speedskater - USA TODAY But Blair is going out on top." Also in 1984, Blair competed at the Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. ESPN.com: Blair is special but she doesn't know it Her winning time was slower than her record setting pace in Calgary, however, the venue in Albertville was outdoors creating conditions which were less conducive for speed skating. [11] Blair had not been not considered a front-runner and later recalled she was happy just to be at the games and see her family in the stands. Sports Illustrated (February 17, 1992): 38. They have two children. She won gold at the 1988 Olympics in Calgary. Toronto Star, January 11, 1995; March 19, 1995. [40][41] Blair became involved with Right to Play, When the Winter Olympics returned to the United States in 2002, Blair was one of the final torchbearers to carry the Olympic flame into Rice-Eccles Stadium for the opening ceremony in Salt Lake City, Utah. [2][4] She completed her high school diploma through the mail in 1982. Encyclopedia.com. As Jere Longman wrote in the New York Times, "Blair has no mountains to climb. Realizing the risk involved in cycling, Blair soon gave up the sport and returned her focus to speed skating. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. bonnie blair siblings (b. Sports Illustrated (March 7, 1994): 42. "Bonnie the blue." Sports Illustrated (March 6, 1989): 32. Time (February 24, 1992): 54. For example, Blair finished fifth in the 1991 World Sprint Championships, though she was also suffering from bronchitis at the time. [8] With her increased focus on the 1984 Olympics, Blair went to train in Europe. Overall, Blair won 4 of 18 women's medals at the 1987 World Cup; East German skaters, including Rothenburger, won 13. Blair also won the World Cup points championship 11 times. Blair won events at 1984, 1985 and 1986 short-track world championships and was the 1986 overall short-track world champion. 1. After the Albertville games ended, Blair again took the opportunity created by her celebrity. Blair made the 1984 U.S. Olympic team and competed in the 500-meter event at the Winter Games in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Cazeneuve, Brian. A year later she twice set a world record for the 500-metre event on the standard circuit. With the oval in Milwaukee closed in the off-season, the best Though Blair briefly considered not competing in the 1992 games, she told Douglas S. Looney of Sports Illustrated, "Skating has always been a pleasure and a joy. 'Your mom is Bonnie Blair!': Junior speedskating champ Blair Cruikshank During the Olympics, Blair was given the nickname "Bonnie the Blur." She was the daughter of Charlie and Eleanor Blair, who raised their large Catholic family in Champaign, Illinois. Blair finished fourth in a national sprint competition for cyclists. At her peak, she considered the fastest woman in the world in speed skating. At the 1988 Games in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she was a favourite in the sprint events and earned a gold in the 500-metre event and a bronze in the 1,000-metre event. "That's not to say I didn't have other great memories," she told Paula Parrish in the Rocky Mountain News, "but I think that had the biggest impact." She is one of the top skaters of her era, and one of the most decorated athletes in Olympic history. "Blair, Bonnie Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The following summer Blair moved to Butte, Montana, where she enrolled at the Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology. When Blair returned to the United States, she increased the intensity of her training, including weight training, running, biking, and rollerblading in addition to skating. At the Olympics, Blair was cheered on by her large extended family, including her parents, her brother Chuck, her sister Mary, along with Mary's husband and children, her sister Susie, her brother Rob and his wife and child, her sister Angela, and her uncle Lennie, along with the friends of all of her family members. Great Women in Sports. "Bonnie Blair," HickokSports.com, http://www.hickoksports.com/biograph/blairbon.shtml (March 10, 2003). Encyclopedia.com. She soon regained her form and confidence, winning dozens of 500- and 1,000-meter races leading up to the 1992 Olympics. Blair was born on March 18, 1964, in Cornwall, New York, the youngest of six children. She entered the Winter Games in Albertville, France, as the favorite in both events. [39] On March 18, 1995, she retired. Father's influence Anthony Charles Lynton Blair was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on May 6, 1953. Barrow, who was 20, was a volatile ex-con and a wanted man who had vowed that he would . She also represented Canada in speed skating in the 1972 games in Sapporo, Japan. Bonnie Blair-Cruikshank's daughter can't compete in speedskating trials Bonnie Blair, 92, of Dawson Springs, KY, died Friday, January 9, 2004, at 7:13 A.M., at her residence. "The last lap." What Happened To American Speed Skater Bonnie Blair? - Grunge.com Olympic speed skating competitions were conducted differently. Facing a Big Chill in Her Sport," Sports Illustrated (27 Feb. 1995). Washington Post (January 2, 1992): D3. Bonnie E. (Hankins) Blair (born 1944) - Texas 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). Bonnie Blair (1928-1977) FamilySearch Bonnie Blairwas raised in Champaign, Illinois. "Bonnie Blue (now Bonnie Vaughn) lived across the street . Sports Illustrated (December 19, 1994): 72. She was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. She achieved personal bests in all four of her events and recorded the fastest time of any junior in three of them. She also managed the oval built for the Calgary games after the Oympics ended for a number of years. Parrish, Paula. She again won the world sprint title in 1994, also winning the World Cup 500- and 1,000-metre races that year. She also tried her hand at gymnastics for a while. And as far as skating goes, she's got a lot of class.". login . Bonnie E Blair of Texas was born c. 1944. 5-time Olympic gold medalist speedskater Bonnie Blair Cruikshank is still hitting the ice at 57-years-old. She did not win any medals, but it proved a valuable experience for her. Blair had more success in 1984, making the U.S. women's speed skating team for the Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Blair has also become an accomplished motivational speaker, addressing audiences on such topics as "Achieving Your Personal Best." She became the first American woman to win five gold Olympic medals and the first American Winter Olympian to win six career medals. Blair competed for the United States in four Olympics, winning five gold medals and one bronze medal. To become an Olympic champion, Blair needed further training as well as racing experience on the long track. After a decade in the broadcast booth working as a commentator for the Olympics for the CBC and CTV, Priestner later became associated with the Olympics as a member of the organizing committee for the Calgary games in 1988, Salt Lake City in 2002, and Turin, Italy in 2006. Rushin, Steve. Bonnie Blair. Blair lives in Delafield, Wisconsin, with her husband and their son Grant and daughter Blair. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. She holds five gold medals, for the 500-meter and 1,000-meter events, as well as a bronze medal for the 1,000-meter event. [5]:44, The 1990-1991 season had setbacks for Blair. 10 Things You May Not Know About Bonnie and Clyde - HISTORY She was the daughter of Charlie and Eleanor Blair, who raised their large Catholic family in Champaign, Illinois. Encyclopedia of World Biography. [16][10] On the 1985-1986 World Cup Circuit, Blair finished fourth in four distances: the 500 meter, 1,000 meter, and 1,500 meter. These dramatic accomplishments earned her the 1992 Sullivan Award as the nation's leading amateur athlete and the 1992 U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) Sportswoman of the Year Award. Best. Jenkins, Sally. Corrections? places to practice were in Europe. "Whooosh!." How many siblings does Bonnie Blair have? Speed skater who won Olympic gold medals in 1988, 1992, and 1994. 23 Feb. 2023 . Retrieved February 23, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/blair-bonnie. 5-time Olympic gold medalist speedskater Bonnie Blair Cruikshank is still hitting the ice at 57-years-old. Margie Frances Walter Rogers . Four days later, she took the gold in the 1,000-meter race, winning by just two one-hundredths of a second. https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/blair-bonnie, "Blair, Bonnie Bonnie Blair At the time, Blair worked as the secretary of the Retail Clerks International Union, which has since become part of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1529. She won the 500 meters with a time of 39.1 seconds and the 1000 meters with a time of 1:18.74. [3] She moved to the Milwaukee area to train with the United States national speed skating team,[7] living with a family friend while she trained. Sports Illustrated (December 6, 1987): section 2, p. 10. Before American speed skaters Eric Heiden and Bonnie Blair raced to fame as Olympic champions, Soviet sp, Ashford, Evelyn Speed skating. The estimated speaking fee range to book Bonnie Blair for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. The Blair Bunch was back even stronger at the 1992 Games in Albertville, France, with about 45 members swaying in unison in their purple team jackets and singing "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean." bonnie blair siblingsmeadowglen lane apartments. 23 Feb. 2023 . [27] Blair also took a break from skating, enrolling in Montana Technological University. New York Times (February 19, 1995): section 8, p. 1. [37] In addition to the 500 and 1,000 meters races, Blair also competing in the 1,500 meter distance missing the podium with a fourth place finish. From early in her career, Blair's father was convinced that she would win Olympic Gold. [5] She attended Jefferson Middle School and later Centennial High School in Champaign[6] In addition to skating, Blair was also a cheer leader and a member of the student council. She went to work coaching the U.S. women's speed skating team, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bonnie Parker was born on October 1, 1910. . [46] In 2004, she was elected to the United States Olympic Hall of Fame. When training in Milwaukee, she enrolled at Parkland College but did not graduate. The victories led to more endorsements, and even more important to Blair, the popularity of speed skating. Paavo Nurmi (1897-1973) was one of the greatest distance runners of all time. Blair continued competing through 1995 when the World Championships were held in Milwaukee, finally retiring in March 1995. For Blair, a skater in the prime of her career, the new schedule was an opportunity to try again for Olympic gold. Bonnie Blair. During this last season, she shattered her world record time for the 500-meter sprint twice. "I just thought it was the right time," she said of her retirement to Retton's all . After retiring from speed skating, Blair became a motivational speaker. In fact, Charlie Blair had his children at a competition while his youngest child was being born. [7][9], Blair made her international competitive debut at the 1984 World Sprinting Championships where she placed tenth. "One-woman ice show." While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. After the games ended, she received a number of commercial endorsements that funded her training, including Disney World and other commercials, though these opportunities were not as numerous or long-lived as originally hoped. [32], Her success in the 1992 Olympics led to more attention for Blair. Omissions? Blair continued to serve on the board for U.S. Blair competed for the United States in four Olympics, winning five gold medals and one bronze medal. While Blair focused on speed skating, she also competed in other sports and activities. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Eugene Blair. [3] Early on, Blair competed in "pack style," or short track speed skating, where several skaters race on the ice at once. 2. She was considered the best American hope for a medal, and did not disappoint. This allowed Blair to train seriously, including one stint with the U.S. men's speed skating team in Butte, Montana. The Champaign police department sponsored a campaign to support "Champaign Policemen's Favorite Speeder," raising $7,000 for Blair so that she could move to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and practice there with other competitive skaters. Copyright 2023 Web Solutions LLC. She and her husband, fellow speed skater Dave Cruikshank, made their home in Milwaukee, and Blair kept up a heavy travel schedule, flying to different cities around the country to meet various corporate endorsement obligations. Sports Illustrated (February 24, 1992): 18. Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). [37] Blair won the 1992 Oscar Mathisen Award (being the first female winner of this award). Reilly, Rick. Photos and Memories (0) Do you know Bonnie? "Bonnie's bounty." She was born to Wayne and Delma (Guenzler) Blair on June 9 th 1951. Bonnie Blair - Net Worth 2022, Salary, Age, Siblings, Bio, Family, Career "People on the outside are like, 'Your mom is Bonnie Blair!' " Cruikshank said. . The 53-year-old champion has stayed close to the sport, serving on the Pettit's board of directors and promoting Milwaukee, which is hosting. Her win in the 500-meter event broke the world record, which had been set only minutes before by the East German skater Christa Rothenburger. She also began serving on the board for U.S. Speed skating and also worked for the Olympic Committee. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Team", "Winter Olympics: Calgary: BLAIR WITH HER: U.S.'s Leading Skater Hopes She's Worth Her Weight in Gold", "Winter Olympics: In Flash of a Skate, Blair Wins the Gold, Sets Record in 500", "GOLD: Blair has decade of Olympic thoughts to remember", "No Endorsement Windfall Seen For The Stars Of Calgary Games", "Sports World Specials: Cycling: A Smooth-as-Ice Switch", "The Olympics Winter Games at Albertville: Blair Is Golden for 500 Meters: Speedskating: In a popular victory, she becomes the first woman to win the event in consecutive Olympics", "Blair Wins Second Gold by a Skate: Speedskating: She beats Ye by 0.02 seconds to become most decorated U.S. woman in Winter Olympics history", "SPEEDSKATING: Blair Pushes Herself to Two Records", "ESPN Classic - Blair marches to record fifth gold medal", "Blair earns high five in Olympic farewell LIillehammer '94", "How speed skaters and Right to Play are inspiring kids around the world", "New Blair on big oval: Bonnie's daughter is a speedskater", "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement", "Notable US Olympic Hall of Fame inductees", "Bonnie Blair Cruikshank paints star on Flag of Hope", "Cover Story: Weddings of the Year Vol. Blair was born in Cornwall, New York to Charlie and Eleanor Blair. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. Speed skating coach Bob Fenn told Angus Phillips of Washington Post in 1992, "From a technical standpoint, she's the most efficient skater in the whole world. Bonnie Blair President: V B S, INC: Ste 105-148, Gilbert, AZ 85297 3733 E Janelle Ct, Gilbert, AZ 85297: Bonnie Blair President, Chief Executive Officer: Happy Helpers Inc Help Supply Services: 137 N Main St, Fairport, NY 14450 54 West Ave, Ste 2, Fairport, NY 14450 (585) 425-2680: Bonnie B. Blair Principal: Bonnie Blair Massage Misc Personal . [39] The Blair Bunch, the name given to Blair's family and friends, accounted for 12% of the crowd at the Pettit National Ice Center. Parker, Bonnie (1910-1934). Bonnie Elaine BlaIr (1925 - 2016) - Genealogy Encyclopedia.com. The placement was due in part to the strategy of her coach, Peter Mueller; Mueller told Blair he would give her a signal to coast if he felt she was not on pace for a podium finish, allowing her to conserve energy. Bonnie Elaine Lorenc (born Blair) was born on month day 1925, at birth place, Utah, to Leo Amos Blair and Myrtle Hannah Blair (born Christensen). "I'm like, 'She's my mom.' It's never really a thought, and I guess I won't ever really . Refer to each styles convention regarding the best way to format page numbers and retrieval dates. Notable Sports Figures. [7][39] Less than a month after Lillehammer Olympics, Blair set another world record in the 500 meters, becoming the first female to complete the race in under 39 seconds, achieving a time of 38.99 seconds. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Bonnie E. (Hankins) Blair. Celebs Wiki Bonnie Blair fans also viewed: By the time of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Alberta, Blair was regarded as one of the hopes for the future of American speed skating. [29] After placing fourth at U.S. Nationals and missing the opportunity to compete at the World Championships, Blair opted to give up competitive cycling and focus solely on speed skating. For her success, Blair was named the Babe Zaharis Female Amateur Athlete of the Year and sportswoman of the Year by Sports Illustrated for 1994. Blair first donned skates at the age of two, and was competing as a speed skater by the age of four. Noden, Merrell. New York Times (February 11, 1992): B11. [28] Blair was back to competing later in the season and won the 1989 World Sprint Championships held in Heerenveen, Netherlands. After the Olympics, Blair continued her education, studying physical education at Montana Tech University. Bonnie Blair Quotes - BrainyQuote seventeenth century), https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/blair-bonnie, http://www.hickoksports.com/biograph/blairbon.shtml, http://www.infoplease.com/ipsa/A0109013.html, https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/bonnie-blair, https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/blair-bonnie, Begins competing as member of national speed skating team, Competes at the Olympic trials, but does not make team, Wins Olympic gold and bronze at Winter Olympic Games, Wins two Olympic golds at Winter Olympic Games, Retires from competitive speed skating; becomes motivational speaker, Marries speed skater Dave Cruikshank on June 23, Won Illinois state championship in speed skating for age group, Won gold medal in Olympics speed skating in 500 meters, Won gold medals in 500 meter and 1000 meter at Olympics in speed skating, Won gold in 500 meters at World Championships, 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, 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, Given Sports Humanitarian Award, World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. At the Olympic Games, Blair had the support of her family, the so-called "Blair Bunch" which consisted of immediate and extended family members who attended a number of her more important races en masse. Bonnie Kathleen Blair (born March 18, 1964) is a retired American speed skater. Bonnie graduated from Warren High School in 1969. Blair competed for the United States in four Olympics, winning five gold medals and one bronze medal. After the 1994 Olympics, Blair continued to compete. The coaching switch took place ten months before the 1992 Olympics. Perhaps one of the most decorated and honored female athletes of the twentieth century, Bonnie's accomplishments are extensive. With family members and dozens of friends, teammates, and fans cheering her on, Blair made her best start ever and zipped through the course in 39.1 seconds, setting a new world record and winning the gold medal. Imperial Oil Web Site. Bonnie Blair Biography - Began Skating, Competed At Olympic - JRank Bonnie Blair | Biography & Facts | Britannica Bonnie Blair was born on March 18, 1964 in Cornwall, New York, USA. By the time she was in grade school, speed skating had become her number-one leisure activity. Newsday (February 6, 1994): 16. New York Times (February 9, 1987): 166. 5x Olympic gold medalist Bonnie Blair Cruikshank trains the next crop It was the first time a woman had won two Olympic gold medals for the 500-meter event in two successive Winter Olympics. [1] The U.S. failed to win any speed skating medals at the 1984 Olympics. Alice Blair, 86, of Tioga, an accounts processor for the Aramark Co. and a caregiver to her older siblings and neighbors, died in her sleep Dec. 17, of complications from dementia at Caring Heart Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Germantown. [18], Early in 1987, Blair won World Cup titles in the 500 and 1,000 meters. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. The trials were a breeze for her. . Blair took up speed skating when she was two years old, joining a family of avid speed skaters. The experience strengthened her determination to become an Olympian. Bonnie worked at the Sleezer Home in Freeport until retirement in 2016. As a speed skater, Blair had exemplary technique which contributed to her success. Bonnie Blair Cruikshank - The National Speedskating Museum Now a world-class speed skater, Blair went on to set a world speed skating record in 1987, racing 500 meters in 39.43 seconds. 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. [44], In 1992, Blair became the third winter athlete to win the Sullivan Award.
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