Twenty-two years ago today, Bonnie Blair won her fifth Olympic gold medal during the XVII Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway. Blair started skating at a young age and began competing at the age of seven. After graduating from Centennial High School in Champaign, and with support from the Champaign Policemen’s Benevolent Association, Blair traveled with the U.S. Olympic Speed Skating Team.

Blair first participated in the Olympics in the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, setting a new world record and winning her first gold medal in the 500 meter competition. She would go on to participate in the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France, winning her second gold medal in the 500 meter and another in the 1,000 meter competition. Blair’s participation in the 1994 Winter Games in Norway led to her fourth and fifth gold medals, again in the 500 and 1,000 meter competitions.

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