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Bonnie Blair

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Inducted: 1996
Induction Class: Bonnie Blair
(Speed Skating), Kip Keino (Track
& Field), Pat McCormick (Diving)
Sport: Olympic Games (Long Track Speed Skating)
Years Active: 1984-1994
Born: March 18, 1964
Birthplace: Cornwall, NY
Community Focus: Children & Youth
Foundation: Right to Play, Bonnie Blair Charitable Gift Fund

Bonnie Blair, one of the top female long track speed skaters of her time and one of the most decorated female athletes in Olympic history used her platform in sport as an advocate for improving the health and life skills and fostering peace among youth in impoverished areas of the world.  She was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame as a part of the Class of 1996, which included Olympic diver Pat McCormick and distance runner Kip Keino.

Bonnie Blair began training with U.S. national speed skating team at the age of 19 after graduating from high school.  She competed in the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo, and at the 1988 Olympics in Calgary, Blaire began her formidable medal collection, with a record-setting gold medal finish in the women’s 500 meters and a third place finish in the 1000.  She would go on to take gold in the 500 and the 1000 in her third and fourth Olympic outings, breaking her own world record in the 500 meter at the 1992 games. 

In her retirement, Blaire became the Athlete Ambassador for the philanthropic Right To Play organization, which uses sports to reach out to underprivileged children all over the world.  Right To Play has grown over the past decade, and today funds and implements programs in over 20 countries.  The organization works to improve health, build life skills, and foster peace for children and communities affected by war, poverty, disease.  Blair also established The Bonnie Blair Charitable Gift Fund which offers grants to several non-profit organizations.