Eric Flaim

Starting out as a short track skater, Flaim switched to long track for his international career. In his second senior season, he surprised at the World Sprint Championships by winning the second 1000 m and taking the overall bronze. At the Olympics, starting the week later, Flaim broke the World Record in the 1500 m, only to see André Hoffmann go even faster two pairs later. He closed out the season by unexpectedly winning the World Allround Championships, although the event at the highland rink of Medeo was influenced by weather changes. In the next years, Flaim had a hard time reaching his 1988 level, especially when he suffered a knee injury in 1990. After the Albertville Olympics, he switched back to short-track speed skating, which had now also gained Olympic medal status. Just two years later, he won his second Olympic silver medal, this time as part of the American short track relay team.

Personal Bests: 500 – 36.98 (1988); 1000 – 1:13.53 (1988); 1500 – 1:52.12 (1988); 5000 – 6:47.09 (1988); 10000 – 14:05.57 (1988).