1,000 metres, Women

Had the 500 m been an easy win for Bonnie Blair, the 1,000 m turned out to be a virtual walkover. As in the 500 m, Blair had been the overwhelming favorite for the distance. After a bronze medal in 1988, she had won the gold at the 1992 Olympics. She had also won all six international 1000 ms during the current season, including two at the World Sprint Championships in January, where she also took the overall title.

Starting in the second pair, she quickly did away with any hopes other competitors might have had. With 1:18.74, she record her second fastest 1,000 m ever (only bested by her 1988 bronze medal time). Her pairmate was Ye Qiaobo, two-time silver medallist in 1992. After winning the 1993 World Sprint Championships, Ye had been considered a title candidate for Lillehammer, but a knee injury foiled her plans. Not fully recovered, the Chinese skater was glad to win her third Olympic medal in 1:20.22, which was enough for bronze. As expected, the third medalist came from Germany. However, where former World Champions Monique Garbrecht or Angela Hauck had been favored for the medal, it was Anke Baier who took home the silver medal. While Baier had collected several World Cup medals in the 1993 season, she had not done as well in the Olympic year, and her medal was therefore surprising.

Blair’s fifth Olympic title made her the first American woman to win five gold medals. She also became the second most successful female speed skater, ranking only behind Lidiya Skoblikova’s six golds from 1960 and 1964.