Sapporo, February 1972: American Dianne HOLUM, in action in a speed skating event during the XI Olympic Winter Games. HOLUM finished 1st in the 1500m and 2nd in the 3000m. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum Collections

Other names: HOLUM, Dianne Mary

Born: 19 May 1951

Birthplace: Chicago (United States)

Nationality: United States

Sport: Skating

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Grenoble 1968

Sapporo 1972

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Gold: 1

Silver: 2

Bronze: 1

Details

Other results:

World Championships

Silver: 1 (72)

Bronze: 3 (67, 71, 72)

From Olympic Champion to Coaching Champion

At the age of sixteen, Dianne Holum earned a silver medal in the 500m race at the 1968 Winter Olympics by finishing in a three-way tie for second place with two other Americans, Jennifer Fish and Mary Meyers. Two days later, Holum added a bronze medal in the 1,000m event.

At the 1972 Sapporo Games, Holum won a gold medal at 1,500m by setting an Olympic record. After finishing sixth at 1,000m, Holum closed out her Olympic career by gaining a silver medal in the 3,000m race. The following year, Holum turned to coaching and began 14-year-old Eric Heiden on the road to the 1980 Winter Olympics, where he won five gold medals.