Leah Poulos-Mueller

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameLeah Jean•Poulos-Mueller
Used nameLeah•Poulos-Mueller
Born5 October 1951 in Berwyn, Illinois (USA)
Measurements170 cm / 59 kg
AffiliationsNorthbrook Speedskating Club, Northbrook (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 3
Bronze 0
Total 3

Biography

As Miss Poulos, Leah Mueller competed in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics, winning a silver in the 1000 meters at Innsbruck and narrowly missing a bronze in the 500 meters. In September 1977, she married U.S. speed skating team member, Peter Mueller, and won two more medals under her married name at Lake Placid. Besides her Olympic successes, Leah Poulos Mueller was twice World Sprint champion, in 1974 and 1979; and thrice second in that event, in 1976, 1977, and 1980.

She competed in the longer distances only early in her career because it was apparent that she was a pure sprinter. She retired in 1978 to travel with her husband and watch him compete, but quickly became bored with that and returned to competition the next year. She was coached early in her career by her father and three-time world champion, John Werket, but her husband and Peter Schotting took over those duties in preparation for Lake Placid.

Personal Bests: 500 – 41.13 (1980); 1000 – 1:23.07 (1980); 1500 – 2:13.98 (1976); 3000 – 5:11.43 (1976).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1972 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) USA Leah Poulos
1,500 metres, Women (Olympic) 24
3,000 metres, Women (Olympic) 17
1976 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) USA Leah Poulos
500 metres, Women (Olympic) 4
1,000 metres, Women (Olympic) 2 Silver
1,500 metres, Women (Olympic) 6
1980 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) USA Leah Poulos-Mueller
500 metres, Women (Olympic) 2 Silver
1,000 metres, Women (Olympic) 2 Silver

Olympic Records

Records may have been broken subsequently during the same competition.
Games Date Sport Event Phase Mark Pos
1976 Winter Olympics 7 February 1976 Speed Skating (Skating) 1,000 metres, Women Final Standings 1:28.57 2

Olympic family relations

Special Notes