Eric Flaim

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Other
SexMale
Full nameEric Joseph•Flaim
Used nameEric•Flaim
Born9 March 1967 in Pembroke, Massachusetts (USA)
Measurements173 cm / 73 kg
AffiliationsSkating Club of Boston, Boston (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 2
Bronze 0
Total 2

Biography

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).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1988 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) USA Eric Flaim
1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 4
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 2 Silver
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 4
10,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 4
1992 Winter Olympics Speed Skating (Skating) USA Eric Flaim
1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) =16
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) =24
5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 6
1994 Winter Olympics Short Track Speed Skating (Skating) USA Eric Flaim
500 metres, Men (Olympic) 25
1,000 metres, Men (Olympic) 10
5,000 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) United States 2 Silver
1998 Winter Olympics Short Track Speed Skating (Skating) USA Eric Flaim
5,000 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) United States 6

Olympic Records

Records may have been broken subsequently during the same competition.
Games Date Sport Event Phase Mark Pos
1988 Winter Olympics 20 February 1988 Speed Skating (Skating) 1,500 metres, Men Final Standings 1:52.12 WR 2

Other participations

Games Role NOC As
1998 Winter Olympics Flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony USA Eric Flaim

Special Notes