Просмотр кода страницы Английская Википедия:Bonnie Blair

{{Английская Википедия/Панель перехода}}
{{short description|American speed skater}}
{{For|the American actress Bonnie Blair Brown|Blair Brown}}

{{Infobox speed skater
| name           = Bonnie Blair
| image          = Bonnie Blair (cropped).jpg
| imagesize      = <!--Only for images narrower than 220 pixels.-->
| headercolor    = lightsteelblue
| birth_name     = 
| fullname       = 
| nationality    = American
| residence      = 
| birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1964|3|18}}
| birth_place    = [[Cornwall, New York]], U.S.
| death_date     = 
| death_place    = 
| height         = 5 ft 5 in 
| weight         = 130 lb
| spouse         = {{marriage|[[Dave Cruikshank]]|1996}}
| website        = 
| country        = 
| sport          = [[Speed skating]]
| event          = 
| club           = 
| turnedpro      = 1984
| coach          = 
| retired        = 1995
| worlds         = 
| olympics       = 1984, 1988, 1992, 1994
| highestranking = 
| pb             = 
| medaltemplates=
{{Medal|Sport|Women's [[speed skating]]}}
{{Medal|Country|the {{USA}}}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[Speed skating at the Winter Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[1988 Winter Olympics|1988 Calgary]]|[[Speed skating at the 1988 Winter Olympics – Women's 500 metres|500 m]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[1992 Winter Olympics|1992 Albertville]]|[[Speed skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics – Women's 500 metres|500 m]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|1992 Albertville|[[Speed skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics – Women's 1000 metres|1,000 m]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[1994 Winter Olympics|1994 Lillehammer]]|[[Speed skating at the 1994 Winter Olympics – Women's 500 metres|500 m]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|1994 Lillehammer|[[Speed skating at the 1994 Winter Olympics – Women's 1000 metres|1,000 m]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|1988 Calgary|[[Speed skating at the 1988 Winter Olympics – Women's 1000 metres|1,000 m]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[World Speed Skating Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold|1989 Heerenveen|Sprint}}
{{MedalGold|1994 Calgary|Sprint}}
{{MedalGold|1995 Milwaukee|Sprint}}
{{MedalSilver|1987 Sainte Foy|Sprint}}
{{MedalSilver|1990 Tromsø|Sprint}}
{{MedalSilver|1992 Oslo|Sprint}}
{{MedalSilver|1993 Ikaho|Sprint}}
{{MedalBronze|1986 Karuizawa|Sprint}}
{{MedalBronze|1988 West Allis|Sprint}}
}}

'''Bonnie Kathleen Blair''' (born March 18, 1964) is a retired American [[speed skating|speed skater]]. She is one of the top skaters of her era, and one of the most decorated athletes in [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] history. Blair competed for the [[United States]] in four Olympics, winning five gold medals and one bronze medal.

Blair made her Olympic debut in [[Sarajevo]] in 1984 where she finished eighth in the 500 meters. At the time, Blair trained in both short-track and long-track speed skating. She won the 1986 short-track world championship. Blair returned to the Olympics in 1988 competing in long-track at the [[1988 Winter Olympics]] in [[Calgary]]. There she won her first Olympic gold medal in the 500 meters and a bronze medal in the 1,000 meter. Blair won two gold medals in the 1992 Winter Olympics in [[Albertville]] and her final two Olympic gold medals at the 1994 [[Lillehammer]] games. Blair continued competing through 1995 when the World Championships were held in Milwaukee, finally retiring in March 1995.

After retiring from speed skating, Blair became a motivational speaker.  She has been inducted into the [[Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame]], the [[Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame]], and the [[United States Olympic Hall of Fame]].

==Early life and education==

Blair was born in [[Cornwall, New York]] to Charlie and Eleanor Blair. She was the youngest of six children.<ref name="Woolum, Janet" /> Her godmother is Canadian speed skater [[Cathy Priestner]].<ref name="Reilly, Rick, Mettle to Medal">{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1988/03/07/117266/the-mettle-to-medal-to-the-delight-of-her-bunch-bonnie-blair-had-what-it-took-to-win-a-gold-and-a-bronze-medal|title=The Mettle to Medal|last=Reilly|first=Rick|date=March 7, 1988|work=SI.com|access-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231103446/https://www.si.com/vault/1988/03/07/117266/the-mettle-to-medal-to-the-delight-of-her-bunch-bonnie-blair-had-what-it-took-to-win-a-gold-and-a-bronze-medal|archive-date=December 31, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The family moved to [[Champaign, Illinois]] when Bonnie was a toddler.<ref name="Woolum, Janet">{{cite book|last=Woolum|first=Janet|title=Outstanding Women Athletes|year=1998|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|pages=90–92|isbn=9781573561204|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DWmCWO6SpsYC&pg=PA90|access-date=2015-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425222336/https://books.google.com/books?id=DWmCWO6SpsYC&pg=PA90|archive-date=2016-04-25|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Schwartz, Larry, Blair is special">{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/blair_bonnie.html|title=ESPN Classic - Blair is special ... but she doesn't know it|last=Schwartz|first=Larry|website=www.espn.com|access-date=August 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831125756/http://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/blair_bonnie.html|archive-date=August 31, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Already a hobby for her siblings, Bonnie first tried skating at age two.<ref name="Schwartz, Larry, Blair is special" /> She participated in her first skating meet at age 4.<ref name="Schwartz, Larry, Blair is special" /> Early on, Blair competed in "pack style," or [[short track speed skating]], where several skaters race on the ice at once.<ref name="Hersh, Phil, Champaign's Blair">{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-12-13-8704020714-story.html|title=Champaign's Bonnie Blair is, Quite Simply, Just a Good Skate|last=Hersh|first=Phil|date=December 13, 1987|website=chicagotribune.com|language=en-US|access-date=January 26, 2020}}</ref> At age 7, Blair won her age group at the Illinois Speed Skating Championship.<ref name=":110">{{Cite book|last1=Sagert|first1=Kelly Boyer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b_kTU8LfcqAC&q=bonnie+blair+mike+crowe&pg=PA37|title=Icons of Women's Sport [2 volumes]|last2=Overman|first2=Steven J.|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2012|isbn=978-0-313-38549-0|language=en}}</ref> She attended Jefferson Middle School and later [[Centennial High School (Champaign, Illinois)|Centennial High School]] in Champaign<ref>{{cite book|author-link=Murry R. Nelson|last=Nelson|first=Murry|title=American Sports: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas|year=2013|publisher=ABC-CLIO|pages=137|isbn=9780313397530|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tfTXAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA136|access-date=2015-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616204824/https://books.google.com/books?id=tfTXAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA136|archive-date=2016-06-16|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to skating, Blair was also a cheer leader and a member of the student council.<ref name="Rushin, Steve, Child of innocence">{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1994/12/19/132915/out-of-the-shadows-bonnie-blair-of-the-us-and-johann-olav-koss-of-norway-emerge-from-the-obscure-world-of-speed-skating-to-receive-sis-highest-honor-child-of-innocence-bonnie-blair-grew-up-with-the-ideal-that-competing----not-ju|title=child of innocence|last=Rushin|first=Steve|date=December 19, 1994|work=SI.com|access-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231155417/https://www.si.com/vault/1994/12/19/132915/out-of-the-shadows-bonnie-blair-of-the-us-and-johann-olav-koss-of-norway-emerge-from-the-obscure-world-of-speed-skating-to-receive-sis-highest-honor-child-of-innocence-bonnie-blair-grew-up-with-the-ideal-that-competing----not-ju|archive-date=December 31, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

It wasn't until 1979 when Olympic medalist [[Cathy Priestner|Cathy Priestner Faminow]] became Blair's coach that Blair switched from pack style to [[long track speed skating]] in which skaters compete for the fastest time.<ref name="Hersh, Phil, Champaign's Blair" /> At age 15, Blair tried out for the national team, earning a spot on her first attempt.<ref name="Longman, Jere, Retiring">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/19/sports/retiring-at-top-speed-with-blair-winning-comes-first-then-the-party.html|title=Retiring at Top Speed; With Blair, Winning Comes First, Then the Party|last=Longman|first=Jere|date=February 19, 1995|work=The New York Times|access-date=September 10, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911072120/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/19/sports/retiring-at-top-speed-with-blair-winning-comes-first-then-the-party.html|archive-date=September 11, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> With her increased focus on the [[1984 Winter Olympics|1984 Olympics]], Blair went to train in Europe.<ref name="Schwartz, Larry, Blair is special" /> To finance the expense of training in Europe, the Champaign Policemen's Benevolent Association began helping to sponsor Blair.<ref name="Reilly, Rick, Mettle to Medal" /><ref name="Hersh, Phil, Champaign's Blair" /> She completed her high school diploma through the mail in 1982.<ref name="Schwartz, Larry, Blair is special" /> She moved to the [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]] area to train with the United States national speed skating team,<ref name="Rushin, Steve, Child of innocence" /> living with a family friend while she trained.<ref name="Longman, Jere, Retiring" /> Blair took classes at [[Parkland College]], although college classes were less of a priority than training and she did not receive a degree.<ref name="Rushin, Steve, Child of innocence" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parkland.edu/alumni/alumbios.aspx|title=Parkland College Alumni Association - Notable Alumni Stories|website=www.parkland.edu|language=en|access-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231155411/http://www.parkland.edu/alumni/alumbios.aspx|archive-date=December 31, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Career==

=== Early career and first Olympics (1984–1986) ===
Blair made her international competitive debut at the 1984 World Sprinting Championships where she placed tenth.<ref name=":18">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-01-12/sports/8501030211_1_dianne-holum-skaters-speedskater|title=Coach Gets U.s. Speedskating Team Off Thin Ice|last=Homers|first=Judy|date=January 12, 1985|work=tribunedigital-chicagotribune|access-date=February 2, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203064213/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-01-12/sports/8501030211_1_dianne-holum-skaters-speedskater|archive-date=February 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, Blair appeared at her first Olympic games at age 19 in [[1984 Winter Olympics|Sarajevo]].<ref name="Nelson 2013 137">{{cite book|last=Nelson|first=Murry|title=American Sports: A History of Icons, Idols, and Ideas|year=2013|publisher=ABC-CLIO|pages=137|isbn=9780313397530|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tfTXAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA137|access-date=2015-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503025520/https://books.google.com/books?id=tfTXAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA137|archive-date=2016-05-03|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/olympics1998/history/1994/articles/94-blair1000.htm|title=Washingtonpost.com: Blair Wins 1,000, Sets Gold Record for U.S. Women|website=www.washingtonpost.com|access-date=2017-09-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625020842/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/longterm/olympics1998/history/1994/articles/94-blair1000.htm|archive-date=2016-06-25|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sarajevotimes.com/bonnie-blair-shares-experience-first-olympic-games-ones-sarajevo/|title=Bonnie Blair shares the experience of her first Olympic Games, the ones in Sarajevo - Sarajevo Times|date=February 8, 2015|work=Sarajevo Times|access-date=September 2, 2017|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902100512/http://www.sarajevotimes.com/bonnie-blair-shares-experience-first-olympic-games-ones-sarajevo/|archive-date=September 2, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> She failed to medal and finished eighth in the 500 meters.<ref name="Woolum, Janet" /> The U.S. failed to win any speed skating medals at the 1984 Olympics.<ref name="Bonk, Thomas, Blair Derails East German">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1987-12-07/sports/sp-18020_1_world-cup-speed|title=World Cup Speed Skating : Bonnie Blair Derails East German Sweep|last=Bonk|first=Thomas|date=December 7, 1987|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=December 31, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903175142/http://articles.latimes.com/1987-12-07/sports/sp-18020_1_world-cup-speed|archive-date=September 3, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> After the 1984 Olympics, Blair worked closely with coach Mike Crowe to improve her skating skills to compete with the powerful East German skaters.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1988/2/2/born-to-skate|title=Born to Skate|last=Levin|first=Bob|date=February 1988|website=Maclean's|language=en-US|access-date=February 16, 2020|archive-date=February 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217033711/https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1988/2/2/born-to-skate|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A strong performance at the United States International Skating Association Metric All-Around Championships, held in [[West Allis, Wisconsin]], earned Blair a spot on the U.S. long track women's sprint team for the 1985 World Championships.<ref name=":19">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-01-13/sports/8501030629_1_erik-henriksen-goldman-sprint|title=Gliding Along|date=January 13, 1985|work=tribunedigital-chicagotribune|access-date=February 2, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203064113/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-01-13/sports/8501030629_1_erik-henriksen-goldman-sprint|archive-date=February 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Blair won both the 500 meter and 1500 meter at the West Allis event, and was considered one of the U.S. team's strongest medal contenders.<ref name=":19" /><ref name=":18" />  On the 1985-1986 World Cup Circuit, Blair finished fourth in four distances: the 500 meter, 1,000 meter, and 1,500 meter.<ref name=":0" /> In May 1985, at a time when U.S. speed skating lacked unity, U.S. International Speedskating Association replaced national team coach [[Dianne Holum]] with Mike Crowe.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-05-13/sports/8501300130_1_dianne-holum-skaters-coaching-aspect|title=Holum In An Icy Break-up|last=Homer|first=Judy|date=May 13, 1985|work=tribunedigital-chicagotribune|access-date=February 2, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203064142/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-05-13/sports/8501300130_1_dianne-holum-skaters-coaching-aspect|archive-date=February 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

During this time, Blair trained in both short-track and long-track. Blair won events at 1984, 1985 and 1986 short-track world championships and was the 1986 overall short-track world champion.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hersh|first=Phil|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1990-02-26/sports/9001170380_1_medal-sport-short-track-skaters|title=Short-track Speedskating Long On Thrills|date=February 26, 1990|work=tribunedigital-chicagotribune|access-date=September 2, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902075301/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1990-02-26/sports/9001170380_1_medal-sport-short-track-skaters|archive-date=September 2, 2017|language=en}}</ref>

===  Rise and becoming an Olympic medalist (1987–1989) ===
Early in 1987, Blair won World Cup titles in the 500 and 1,000 meters.<ref name="Associated Press, Bonnie Blair Makes a Name">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1987-03-15/sports/sp-10979_1_bonnie-blair|title=Bonnie Blair Makes a Name for Herself|last=Associated Press|date=March 15, 1987|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=December 31, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928002937/http://articles.latimes.com/1987-03-15/sports/sp-10979_1_bonnie-blair|archive-date=September 28, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> She followed up her World Cup titles in by setting her first world record in the 500 meters with a time 39.43 seconds.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web|url=http://www.isu.org/inside-speed-skating/entries-results-speed/biographies-statistics#PageID=103150&SportID=103&RecordtypeID=10&EventID=1&GenderID=2&TaalCode=2&StyleID=0&Cache=2.html?773494|title=Biographies & Statistics: 500m Ladies World Record Progression|website=www.isu.org|language=en-gb|access-date=January 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231213057/http://www.isu.org/inside-speed-skating/entries-results-speed/biographies-statistics#PageID=103150&SportID=103&RecordtypeID=10&EventID=1&GenderID=2&TaalCode=2&StyleID=0&Cache=2.html?773494|archive-date=December 31, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Blair also proved she could beat East-German world champion [[Karin Enke|Karin Enke-Kania]] in head-to-head match-ups.<ref name="Associated Press, Bonnie Blair Makes a Name" /> Although Blair was four inches shorter than Enke-Kania, Blair's technique and fast start time made her a formidable competitor.<ref name="Associated Press, Bonnie Blair Makes a Name" /> Blair held a world record at 500 meters until December 1987 when [[Christa Luding-Rothenburger|Christa Rothenburger]] beat her time at the World Cup.<!--<ref name="Bonk, Thomas, Blair Derails East German" />--> Blair, under the weather with a cough and cold, finished second in the event.<!--<ref name="Bonk, Thomas, Blair Derails East German" />--> Overall, Blair won 4 of 18 women's medals at the 1987 World Cup; East German skaters, including Rothenburger, won 13.<ref name="Bonk, Thomas, Blair Derails East German" />

At the December 1987 U.S. speed skating trials for the [[1988 Winter Olympics]], Blair led the women's field in the 500,1,000, and 1,500 meters, securing her place on the U.S. Olympic team, as expected.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1987-12-13/sports/sp-28598_1_nick-thometz|title=Blair, Jansen Top Speed Skaters in 500 for Second Night in Row|last=International United Press|date=December 13, 1987|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=December 31, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1987-12-20/sports/sp-30029_1_leslie-bader|title=Olympic Speed Skating Trials : Mary Docter Earns Spot on U.S. Team|last=Associated Press|date=December 20, 1987|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=December 31, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120162541/http://articles.latimes.com/1987-12-20/sports/sp-30029_1_leslie-bader|archive-date=January 20, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Blair was considered a stronger competitor in the shorter distances, where she was seen as the United States' best chance at a gold medal in speed skating.<ref name=":13">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1988-02-11/news/ss-41733_1_bonnie-blair/2|title=Winter Olympics: Calgary : BLAIR WITH HER : U.S.'s Leading Skater Hopes She's Worth Her Weight in Gold|last=Bonk|first=Thomas|date=February 11, 1988|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=January 7, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> U.S. speed skating failure to win a single medal at the 1984 Olympics added to the pressure and attention focused on Blair leading up to the 1988 games.<ref name=":13" />

Blair went on to the 1988 Winter Olympics in [[Calgary, Alberta]], where her first event was the 500 meters.<ref name=":15">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1988-02-23/sports/sp-44642_1_bonnie-blair|title=Winter Olympics: In Flash of a Skate, Blair Wins the Gold, Sets Record in 500|last=Bonk|first=Thomas|date=February 23, 1988|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref><ref name="Woolum, Janet, Outstanding Women Athletes">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DWmCWO6SpsYC&pg=PA91|title=Outstanding Women Athletes|last=Woolum|first=Janet|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=1998|pages=91|isbn=9781573561204|access-date=2015-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519090648/https://books.google.com/books?id=DWmCWO6SpsYC&pg=PA91|archive-date=2016-05-19|url-status=live}}</ref> Rothenburger skating first, setting a new world record.<ref name=":15" /> Blair responded to the challenge with her best start ever in the 500 meters, winning the gold medal in world record time of 39.10 seconds.<ref name="Reilly, Rick, Mettle to Medal" /><ref name="Woolum, Janet, Outstanding Women Athletes" /> For her second event of the games, Blair had a personal best and briefly set an Olympic record in the 1,000 meters.<ref name="Reilly, Rick, Mettle to Medal" /> Two of Blair's competitors, who skated after her, subsequently beat her time; thus Blair won the bronze in the 1,000 meters.<ref name="Reilly, Rick, Mettle to Medal" /><ref name="Woolum, Janet, Outstanding Women Athletes" /> Blair's third and final event of the 1988 Winter Olympics was the 1,500 meters, in which she placed fourth.<ref name="Reilly, Rick, Mettle to Medal" /> Blair's family friends in the stands, affectionately known as the "Blair Bunch," became a staple of her competitive career.<ref name="Reilly, Rick, Mettle to Medal" /><ref name="Schwartz, Larry, Blair is special" /> To end the games, Blair was chosen to carry the American flag at the closing ceremonies.<ref name=":23">{{Cite web|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/arlington-heights-daily-herald-suburban-chicago-feb-25-1994-p-8/|title=GOLD: Blair has decade of Olympic thoughts to remember|date=February 25, 1994|website=NewspaperArchive.com|publisher=Arlington Heights Daily Herald Suburban Chicago Archives|page=8|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224032749/https://newspaperarchive.com/arlington-heights-daily-herald-suburban-chicago-feb-25-1994-p-8/|archive-date=December 24, 2019|access-date=December 23, 2019}}</ref>

Despite her success at the 1988 Olympics, Blair did not enjoy a windfall from endorsements.<ref name=":20">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1988-03-13/sports/8802290487_1_winter-sports-xv-winter-olympics-brian-boitano|title=No Endorsement Windfall Seen For The Stars Of Calgary Games|last=Modoono|first=Bill|date=March 13, 1988|work=tribunedigital-chicagotribune|access-date=February 4, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205072714/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1988-03-13/sports/8802290487_1_winter-sports-xv-winter-olympics-brian-boitano|archive-date=February 5, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Holding Blair back from more advertisements was both her choice of sports, which was thought to be less marketable, and [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC's]] coverage of the games, which failed to resonate with viewers.<ref name=":20" /> Blair also took a break from skating, enrolling in [[Montana Technological University]].<ref name=":25">{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1989/03/06/119502/bring-back-bonnie-speed-skater-bonnie-blair-her-post-olympic-hiatus-over-won-the-world-sprints|title=Bring Back Bonnie|last=Looney|first=Douglas S.|date=March 6, 1989|website=Vault|language=en|access-date=January 25, 2020}}</ref> She skipped the first two World Cup events of the 1989 season.<ref name=":25" /> Blair was back to competing later in the season and won the 1989 World Sprint Championships held in [[Heerenveen]], Netherlands.<ref name=":25" /> At the event, Blair won the 500 meters twice and finished third and second in two 100 meters races for an overall victory.<ref name=":25" /> The win made Blair the first U.S. woman to win a world sprint championship in nearly a decade.<ref name=":25" />

Following the 1988 Olympics, Blair also tried [[Track cycling|track cycle]] racing, and was coached by former speed skater and cycling world champion [[Connie Paraskevin]]. Cycling became part of Blair's speed skating training as both sports utilized the same muscle groups. She made her competitive cycling debut in June 1989 at the Sundance Juice Sparkler Grand Prix.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/05/sports/sports-world-specials-cycling-a-smooth-as-ice-switch.html?sq=Connie+Paraskevin&scp=8&st=cse|title=Sports World Specials: Cycling: A Smooth-as-Ice Switch|date=June 5, 1989|work=New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727212442/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/06/05/sports/sports-world-specials-cycling-a-smooth-as-ice-switch.html?sq=Connie+Paraskevin&scp=8&st=cse|archive-date=July 27, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":110"/>{{Rp|44}}

=== Repeat Olympic gold (1990–1992) ===
The 1990-1991 season had setbacks for Blair. She contracted a severe case of bronchitis that affected her breathing.<ref name=":110"/>{{Rp|44}} The breathing problem lingered through the 1991 World Sprint Championships where she finished fifth.<ref name=":110"/>{{Rp|44}}  Confidence in coach Crowe had waned in the lead up to the 1988 Olympics, Blair helped to recruit Peter Mueller to coach the U.S. team. The coaching switch took place ten months before the 1992 Olympics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19920202&slug=1473556|title=U.S. Speedskaters Thrive Under Mueller|last=Mcdonald|first=Mark|date=February 2, 1992|website=archive.seattletimes.com|access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref> Training with Mueller in the summer before the Olympics, Blair regained her competitive edge.<ref name=":110"/>{{Rp|44}}

Blair again competed at [[1992 Winter Olympics|Olympics in 1992]], this time held in [[Albertville, France]].<ref name=":24" /> Although she had won gold at the prior Olympics, Blair felt that her small stature made her an underdog against much larger East German competitors.<ref name=":23" /> Blair again won gold in the 500 meters, becoming the first woman to win the event in back to back Olympics, with a time of 40.33 seconds. 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. The second-place finisher, [[Ye Qiaobo]] of China, claimed to have been slowed down by an improper crossover from another skater. Although Ye claimed the crossover cost her the gold, the referee's rejected China's protest. Blair dedicated her gold medal to her father, Charlie, who had died from lung cancer two years earlier. Charlie had dreamed of Bonnie becoming an Olympic speed skater.<ref name=":24">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1992-02-11/sports/sp-1661_1_olympic-games|title=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.|last=Harvey|first=Randy|date=February 11, 1992|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref>

In her second event, the 1,500 meters, Blair finished 21st. The placement was due in part to the strategy of her coach, [[Peter Mueller (speed skater)|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. As Blair approached the final 400 meters, Mueller gave the signal.<ref name=":16">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1992-02-15/sports/sp-1826_1_winter-olympics-history|title=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.|last=Harvey|first=Randy|date=February 15, 1992|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> Blair won her second gold of the 1992 Olympics in the 1,000 meters (1:21.90).<ref name="Nelson 2013 137" /> Her time was only 0.02 seconds faster than Ye.<ref name=":16" /> Blair's gold made her the most decorated U.S. woman in Winter Olympics of all time.<ref name=":16" />

Her success in the 1992 Olympics led to more attention for Blair. She was on the cover of ''[[Sports Illustrated]]''.<ref name=":110"/>[[Sports Illustrated|{{Rp|45}}]] Blair also began to pick-up more endorsements, including sports marketing group Advantage International.<ref name=":110"/>{{Rp|45}} After the Olympics, Blair moved to [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]] to train at the newly opened [[Pettit National Ice Center|Pettit International Ice Center]].<ref name=":110" />{{Rp|45}}

=== Final Olympics (1993–1994) ===
Back in 1986, the [[International Olympic Committee]] voted to stage the [[Winter Olympic Games|Winter Olympics]] and [[Summer Olympic Games|Summer Olympics]] in alternating four year cycles. Thus, the next Winter Games would be held in February 1994.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/lillehammer-1994|title=Lillehammer 1994|date=November 19, 2018|website=International Olympic Committee|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626172324/https://www.olympic.org/lillehammer-1994|archive-date=June 26, 2018|access-date=December 23, 2019}}</ref>  The attempt to compete at her fourth Olympics was not without its challenges; the 1993 season was lackluster for Blair.<ref name=":21">{{Cite web|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/arlington-heights-daily-herald-suburban-chicago-feb-11-1994-p-721/|title=Will Blair make Olympic history?|last=Associated Press|date=February 11, 1994|website=NewspaperArchive.com|publisher=Arlington Heights Daily Herald Suburban Chicago Archives|page=721|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224015746/https://newspaperarchive.com/arlington-heights-daily-herald-suburban-chicago-feb-11-1994-p-721/|archive-date=December 24, 2019|access-date=December 23, 2019}}</ref><ref name=":22" /> At the 1993 World Sprint Championships, Blair did not win any of her four races finishing behind rival Ye Qiabo.<ref name=":21" /> Blair felt as though she had lost her quickness and after failing to rectify the problem with coach Peter Mueller, she switched to [[Nick Thometz]].<ref name=":21" /> At the 1994, U.S. Olympic long-track trials at the Pettit National Ice Center, Blair set track records in the first round of the 500 meter and 1,000 meter trails.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1994-01-02/sports/sp-7831_1_track-record|title=SPEEDSKATING : Blair Pushes Herself to Two Records|last=Elliott|first=Helene|date=January 2, 1994|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=February 2, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112171419/http://articles.latimes.com/1994-01-02/sports/sp-7831_1_track-record|archive-date=November 12, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[1994 Winter Olympics]] in [[Lillehammer, Norway]], were another success for Blair: She again won gold in the 500 meters (39.25) and 1,000 meters (1:18.74)<ref name=":22">{{Cite web|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/st-louis-sporting-news-mar-07-1994-p-15/|title=Proving her precious mettle|last=Kindred|first=David|date=March 7, 1994|website=NewspaperArchive.com|publisher=St Louis Sporting News Archives|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191224014933/https://newspaperarchive.com/st-louis-sporting-news-mar-07-1994-p-15/|archive-date=December 24, 2019|access-date=2019-12-24}}</ref> races. Blair finished 0.36 seconds ahead of the second best time in the 500 meters. Her 1.38 second margin in the 1,000 meters race is the largest margin of victory in the history of the event.<ref name="Kiger, Fred, Blair marches to record" /> Blair's success at Lillehammer placed her among the most decorate American Olympians of all time. She became the first American woman to win five gold Olympic medals and the first American Winter Olympian to win six career medals.<ref name="Kiger, Fred, Blair marches to record" />  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.<ref name=":23" /> At her post race press conference, Blair confirmed Lillehammer would be her last Olympic games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-02-24-1994055001-story.html|title=Blair earns high five in Olympic farewell Lillehammer '94|last=Glauber|first=Bill|website=baltimoresun.com|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221035218/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-02-24-1994055001-story.html|archive-date=2019-12-21|access-date=2019-12-21}}</ref>

===Post-Olympic career===
After the 1994 Olympics, Blair continued to compete.<ref name="Rushin, Steve, Child of innocence" /><ref name="Rushin, Steve, The last lap" /> 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.<ref name="Rushin, Steve, Child of innocence" /> Blair topped her own World Record the following year, achieving a time of 38.69 on February 12, 1995 in [[Calgary]].<ref name=":14" /> Blair continued on to the 1995 World Championships in her adopted home town of Milwaukee.<ref name="Rushin, Steve, The last lap">{{Cite news|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1995/02/27/133387/the-last-lap-after-racing-to-another-world-title-bonnie-blair-leaves-the-us-facing-a-big-chill-in-her-sport|title=The Last Lap|last=Rushin|first=Steve|date=February 27, 1995|work=SI.com|access-date=September 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911072756/https://www.si.com/vault/1995/02/27/133387/the-last-lap-after-racing-to-another-world-title-bonnie-blair-leaves-the-us-facing-a-big-chill-in-her-sport|archive-date=September 11, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The Blair Bunch, the name given to Blair's family and friends, accounted for 12% of the crowd at the Pettit National Ice Center.<ref name="Rushin, Steve, The last lap" /><ref name="Longman, Jere, Retiring" /> There, Blair won the 500 meters with a time of 39.54 seconds.<ref name="Rushin, Steve, The last lap" />  On March 18, 1995, she retired.
[[File:Bonnie Blair.jpg|thumb|Blair in 2010]]
After fellow speed skater [[Johann Olav Koss]] founded [[Right To Play|Right to Play]] in 2000, he recruited Blair to serve as one of the charities first celebrity ambassadors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archivepyc.nbcolympics.com/news/how-speed-skaters-and-right-play-are-inspiring-kids-around-world|title=How speed skaters and Right to Play are inspiring kids around the world|last=Grassie|first=Julia|date=August 11, 2017|website=NBC Olympics|language=en|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.righttoplayusa.org/en/ambassadors/bonnie-blair/|title=Bonnie Blair|website=www.righttoplayusa.org|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref> Blair became involved with Right to Play, When the Winter Olympics returned to the [[2002 Winter Olympics|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|Salt Lake City, Utah.]]<ref name="Elliott, Helene, Speedskater is Taking">{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2002/feb/16/sports/sp-olywherenow16|title=Speedskater Blair Is Taking It Slow|last=Elliott|first=Helene|date=February 16, 2002|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=December 31, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> As of 2002, Blair served on U.S. Speedskating's board of directors.<ref name="Elliott, Helene, Speedskater is Taking" /> As of 2014, Blair worked as a motivational speaker and corporate spokesperson.<ref name="Amussen, Bob, Whatever happened">{{Cite news|url=http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2014-01-26/whatever-happened-bonnie-blair.html|title=Whatever happened to: Bonnie Blair|last=Asmussen|first=Bob|date=January 26, 2014|work=The News-Gazette|access-date=September 1, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902052623/http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2014-01-26/whatever-happened-bonnie-blair.html|archive-date=September 2, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> That same year she was a member of the U.S. Olympic delegation to Sochi.<ref name="Amussen, Bob, Whatever happened" /> As of 2018, Blair serves on the board of the Pettit National Ice Center.<ref name=":17">{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2018/01/04/new-blair-on-big-oval-bonnies-daughter-is-a-speedskater/109161982/|title=New Blair on big oval: Bonnie's daughter is a speedskater|last=AP|date=January 4, 2018|work=USA TODAY|access-date=February 1, 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202201709/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2018/01/04/new-blair-on-big-oval-bonnies-daughter-is-a-speedskater/109161982/|archive-date=February 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Awards and honors==
[[File:Stamp of Azerbaijan 298.jpg|thumb|Bonnie Blair on Azerbaijani postage stamp, 1995]]
In 1992, Blair became the third winter athlete to win the [[James E. Sullivan Award|Sullivan Award]].<ref name="Kiger, Fred, Blair marches to record">{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/classic/s/add_bonnie_blair.html|title=ESPN Classic - Blair marches to record fifth gold medal|last=Kiger|first=Fred W.|date=February 23, 1994|website=www.espn.com|access-date=September 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901111641/http://www.espn.com/classic/s/add_bonnie_blair.html|archive-date=September 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Blair won the 1992 [[Oscar Mathisen Award]] (being the first female winner of this award). In 1992, Blair received the Golden Plate Award of the [[Academy of Achievement|American Academy of Achievement]].<ref>{{cite web|title= Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement |website=www.achievement.org|publisher=[[American Academy of Achievement]]|url= https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#sports}}</ref> She also was Female Athlete of the Year as selected by the [[Associated Press]] in 1994. Blair also won the World Cup points championship 11 times. ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' named Blair their Sportswoman of the Year for 1994.<ref name="Kiger, Fred, Blair marches to record" /> By 1994, Blair's hometown of Champaign had renamed one of its streets Bonnie Blair Drive.<ref name="Rushin, Steve, Child of innocence" />

She is a member of the [[Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame]] and the [[Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame]].<ref>[http://www.badgerstategames.org/hall_fame/members_byyear BadgerStateGames.org: ''Hall of Fame Members''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219192546/http://badgerstategames.org/hall_fame/members_byyear|date=2008-12-19}}</ref> In 2004, she was elected to the [[United States Olympic Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nbcsports.com/notable-us-olympic-hall-fame-inductees#slide-27|title=Notable US Olympic Hall of Fame inductees|date=April 20, 2009|work=NBC Sports|access-date=February 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222044626/http://www.nbcsports.com/notable-us-olympic-hall-fame-inductees#slide-27|archive-date=February 22, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> She was awarded a star (#7) on The Flag for Hope on September 29, 2015 in recognition of her outstanding Speed Skating Career and philanthropic efforts.<ref name="Flag for Hope">{{cite web|url=http://flagforhope.com/star-7-bonnie-blair|title=Bonnie Blair – Flag for Hope Star #7|date=October 21, 2016|publisher=Flag for Hope|access-date=October 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022100303/http://flagforhope.com/star-7-bonnie-blair/|archive-date=October 22, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/bonnie-blair-cruikshank-paints-star-on-flag-of-hope|title=Bonnie Blair Cruikshank paints star on Flag of Hope|date=September 30, 2015|work=TMJ4|access-date=February 2, 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831084142/http://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/bonnie-blair-cruikshank-paints-star-on-flag-of-hope|archive-date=August 31, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Blair began dating fellow Olympic speed skater [[Dave Cruikshank]] in 1990.<ref name="People, Weddings of the Year">{{Cite news|url=http://people.com/archive/cover-story-weddings-of-the-year-vol-47-no-5/|title=Cover Story: Weddings of the Year – Vol. 47 No. 5|date=1997-02-10|work=PEOPLE.com|access-date=2017-09-02|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902050159/http://people.com/archive/cover-story-weddings-of-the-year-vol-47-no-5/|archive-date=2017-09-02|url-status=live}}</ref> The pair married in [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]] in 1996.<ref name="People, Weddings of the Year" /> Blair and Cruikshank have two children: a son, Grant, and daughter, Blair.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.answers.com/topic/bonnie-blair |title=Bonnie Blair: Biography from Answers.com |publisher=Answers.com |access-date=2010-02-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625094717/http://www.answers.com/topic/bonnie-blair |archive-date=June 25, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/sports/other_sports/olympics/extras/olympics_blog/2010/02/catching_up_wit.html|title=Catching up with Bonnie Blair|last=Finn|first=Chad|date=February 16, 2010|work=Boston.com|access-date=August 31, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817041046/http://archive.boston.com/sports/other_sports/olympics/extras/olympics_blog/2010/02/catching_up_wit.html|archive-date=August 17, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Grant Cruikshank played hockey at Colorado College and as of 2021 for the University of Minnesota.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1384276759307120643|user=GCruikshank|title=Thanks to CC hockey for a memorable 3...|date=19 April 2021}}</ref><ref name=":17" /> Blair's daughter competed at the 2018 United States Olympic speed skating trials at the 500 meter distance, held at [[Pettit National Ice Center]].<ref name=":17" />
In 2021, Blair spoke out in opposition to allowing male-to-female transgender athletes to participate in organized athletics.<ref name="Wisconsin GOP lawmakers propose">{{cite news|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2021/03/02/wisconsin-gop-bill-bans-transgender-athletes-non-coed-sports/6886655002/|title=Wisconsin GOP lawmakers propose banning transgender athletes from women's sports|date=2021-03-02|work=JSOnline.com|access-date=2020-04-22|language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of multiple Olympic gold medalists]]
*[[List of multiple Olympic gold medalists in one event]]
*[[West Allis Speedskating Club]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}<!--added above External links/Sources by script-assisted edit-->

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180707172442/http://www.skateresults.com/skater/show/70 Bonnie Blair at SkateResults.com]
* {{Team USA Hall of Fame|new_id=bonnie-blair|old_id=Bonnie-Blair|archive=20211022200426}}
* {{Olympics.com}}
* {{Olympedia}}
* {{IMDb name|2089667}}
* {{Twitter|id=bonnieblair|name=Bonnie Blair}}

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{{succession box|title=[[Oscar Mathisen Award]]|before={{flagicon|NOR}} [[Johann Olav Koss]]|after={{flagicon|NED}} [[Falko Zandstra]]|years=1992}}
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| before={{flagicon|ROM}} [[Nadia Comăneci]] |
| title=[[Flo Hyman Memorial Award]] |
| after={{flagicon|USA}} [[Monica Seles]] |
| years=1999}}
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