Holum, Diane
Speed Skating
b. May 19, 1951, Chicago, IL
As a competitor and a coach, Holum was a leader of the revival of U. S. speed skating that began in the late 1960s. She competed in the 1966 world championships at fourteen, the youngest ever, and the following year she placed third overall.
She followed that performance with a bronze in the 1000-meter race at the 1968 Olympics and a remarkable three-way tie with two teammates, Jennifer Fish and Mary Meyers, for the silver medal in the 500-meter.
Holum was the world 1000-meter champion in 1971 and, in 1972, she won the 500-meter at the world championships, the 1000-meter at the world sprint championships, and the 1500-meter in the Olympics. She also won an Olympic silver medal at 3000 meters.
At twenty-two, she retired from competition and began coaching. Among her prize pupils were Beth and Eric Heiden.