Heiden, "Beth" (Elizabeth L.)
Cycling, Skiing, Speed Skating
b. Sept. 27, 1959, Madison, WI
Although overshadowed by the brilliant speed skating performances of her brother Eric, Heiden was a remarkable athlete who excelled in a number of sports. As a high school student, she starred in tennis and soccer and set a national age group record for the mile run.
In 1979, she won world championships at all four speed skating distances, from 500 meters to 3,000 meters, and became the first American women to win the world overall championship. An ankle injury troubled her during the 1980 Olympics, where she won only one medal, a bronze in the 3,000-meter race.
Like many speed skaters, Heiden competed in cycling as a means of off-season training. She won the U. S. and world road race championships, as well as the prestigious Coors International Classic, in 1980. She was named the U. S. Olympic Committee's Sportswoman of the Year and brother Eric won the men's award that year.
Heiden took up cross-country skiing in 1981, while attending the University of Vermont. Two years later, she won the first NCAA women's championship in the sport.