Dianne Holum

Dianne Mary Holum (born May 19, 1951) is a retired American speed skater.

Dianne Holum

Holum in 1972
Personal information
Born	(1951-05-19) May 19, 1951 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Height	1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
Weight	56 kg (123 lb)
Sport
Sport	Speed skating
Club	Northbrook Speedskating Club
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	500 m – 43.59 (1972) 1000 m – 1:28.7 (1972) 1500 m – 2:18.51 (1972) 3000 m – 4:57.9 (1972)
Medal record Representing the  United States Olympic Games 1968 Grenoble 500 m 1968 Grenoble 1000 m 1972 Sapporo 1500 m 1972 Sapporo 3000 m World Championships 1967 Deventer Allround 1971 Inzell Sprint 1972 Eskilstuna Sprint 1972 Heerenveen Allround

In 1966, Holum became the youngest person to compete in the world speed skating championships. Next year she won bronze at the World Allround Championships. At the age of 16, Holum earned a silver medal in the 500 meter race at the 1968 Winter Olympics, finishing in a three way tie for second place. Holum added a bronze medal in the 1000 meter event.[1]

At the 1972 Winter Olympics, Holum won a gold medal in the 1500 meter event, setting an Olympic record in the process. After finishing sixth in the 1000 meter race, Holum ended her Olympic career by winning a silver medal on the 3000 meters.[1]

After winning bronze once more at the World Allround Championships later that same year, Holum retired from speed skating, only 20 years old. The following year, she began her career as a coach, helping put a 14-year-old Eric Heiden on the road to the 1980 Winter Olympics, where he won five gold medals. She also coached Eric's sister Beth Heiden. At the 1976 Olympics, she became the first female coach to a female speed skater.[1]

For her achievements as a speed skater, Holum was inducted in the National Speedskating Hall of Fame in 1986.[2] For her achievements as a coach, Holum was inducted in the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.[3] She also coached her daughter Kirstin Holum, who was Junior World Allround Champion in 1997 and participated in the 1998 Winter Olympics.[1]