Blair, Bonnie (1964- ), an American speed skater, won five gold medals and one bronze in the Winter Olympic Games, more than any other American athlete. Blair was the first American woman in any sport to win a gold medal in consecutive Winter Olympics. She was also the first American long track speed skater to win a gold medal in more than one Olympic competition.

Blair won her first Olympic medal in 1988. She won the 500-meter race and received a bronze medal for third place in the 1,000-meter race at the games in Calgary, Canada. She won the gold medal in both races at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. At the 1994 games in Lillehammer, Norway, she again won both races and narrowly missed winning a bronze by finishing fourth in the 1,500-meter race.

Excerpt from the "Blair, Bonnie" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999