Eric Heiden

Biography

Eric Heiden achieved what many consider to be one of the greatest feats in Olympic history when, in 1980 in Lake Placid, he won five individual gold medals in speed skating, setting Olympic records in each event.

He is considered by most to be the best overall speedskater (short and long distances) in the sport's history. Later Heiden turned to cycling, becoming a professional and competing in the 1986 Tour de France.  

Heiden, however, did not dwell on his sporting achievements. He turned his attention to another life-long dream and went back to medical school, earning a bachelor of science degree in 1984 and his MD in 1991 from Stanford. He works as an orthopedic surgeon and also studies sports medicine.

Heiden was team physician to the WNBA and NBA teams and to the United States Olympic Speedskating Teams in 2002 and 2006.

Career Highlights