Lidiya Skoblikova

Lidiya Skoblikova of the Soviet Union holds the Olympic record with six Olympic gold medals for speed skating. She was a world class performer before speed skating for women was added to the Olympic program in 1960 at the Squaw Valley Games. In 1960, she won gold medals in the 1,500 metres, with a new world record, and the 3,000 metres. At the 1964 Winter Games, she became the first woman to win all four speed skating events at one Games, setting new Olympic records in the 500 metres, 1,000 metres, and 1,500 metres and was only deprived of a fourth record by adverse ice conditions in the 3,000 metres. After these successes her third Olympic appearance in 1968 was a disappointment when she finished 11th in the 1,500 metres. A teacher from Siberia, she set three world records, one each at 1,000, 1,500, and 3,000 metres, and was the world overall champion in 1963 and 1964, winning all four events in both years.

Personal Bests: 500 - 45.0 (1964); 1000 - 1.31.8 (1963); 1500 - 2.21.8 (1962); 3000 - 5.04.2 (1964).