Career

In 1966, Holum became the youngest person to compete in the world speed skating championships. At the age of 16, Holum earned a silver medal in the 500 meter race at the 1968 Winter Olympics, finishing in a three way tie for second place. Holum added a bronze medal in the 1000 meter event.

After finishing sixth in the 1000 meter race, Holum ended her Olympic career by winning a silver medal on the 3000 meters.

After winning bronze once more at the World Allround Championships later that same year, Holum retired from speed skating, only 20 years old. She also coached Eric"s sister Beth Heiden.

At the 1976 Olympics, she became the first female coach to a female speed skater.

Achievements

• Next year she won bronze at the World Allround Championships. At the 1972 Winter Olympics, Holum won a gold medal in the 1500 meter event, setting an Olympic record in the process. The following year, she began her career as a coach, helping put a 14-year-old Eric Heiden on the road to the 1980 Winter Olympics, where he won five gold medals. Foreign her achievements as a speed skater, Holum was inducted in the National Speedskating Hall of Fame in 1986. Foreign her achievements as a coach, Holum was inducted in the International Women"s Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. She also coached her daughter Kirstin Holum, who was Junior World Allround Champion in 1997 and participated in the 1998 Winter Olympics. An overview of medals won by Holum at important championships she participated in, listing the years in which she won each:.