In 1980, American speed skater and cyclist, Eric Heiden, skated the 1000m event and set a world record of 1:13.60.Â
Heiden is best known for his performance at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Games where he won all five speed skating events from the 500m up until the 10,000m. He had set a record for every event that he competed in. He was the first person in speed skating history to win five gold medals in one Olympic Games.Â
Prior to his incredible season in 1980, Heiden had won the Junior world, world, and world spring champion in 1977 and 1978. He also won the World and world sprint champion in 1979. In 1980, after his success in the Olympics, he competed in the World Championship and placed second.Â
After his successful season in 1980, he retired from skating and turned into cycling. He ended up winning the 1985 US Professional Cycling Championship and rode in the 1986 Tour de France.Â
Post skating career, Heiden commentated for four Winter Olympics through CBS Sports from 1984 until 1994. Heiden took up his dream of becoming an orthopedic surgeon and sports team physician. He practiced at the University of California – Davis and is now an assistant professor there. Later, he was chosen to be the U.S. Speed-skating team doctor for the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.Â
Heiden continues to teach his valuable lessons at the University of California Davis.Â
