Hayes Jenkins

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameHayes Alan•Jenkins
Used nameHayes•Jenkins
Born23 March 1933 in Akron, Ohio (USA)
AffiliationsCleveland Skating Club, Shaker Heights, Ohio (USA) / Broadmoor Skating Club, Colorado Springs (USA)
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Sixth in the 1949 Worlds Championship was a 16-year-old named Hayes Alan Jenkins. Jenkins served his apprenticeship behind Dick Button for several years, but with Button’s retirement became the world’s top male skater. He was third at Worlds in 1950 and 1952, placing fourth in 1951, and also placed third at the US Championships in 1949, 1951, and 1952. From 1953 through 1956 he was never beaten. Jenkins was World Champion in 1953-56, US Champion those same years, and won the North American Championships in 1953 and 1955. He was not a flashy free skater, but usually built a lead in the compulsories and would hold it with slightly conservative, but exquisitely done free skating performances. Jenkins was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Colorado College who eschewed the world of professional ice shows to attend Harvard Law School. He later worked as an international lawyer for the Goodyear Company. Jenkins married Carol Heiss, the 1960 women’s gold medalist.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1952 Winter Olympics Figure Skating (Skating) USA Hayes Jenkins
Singles, Men (Olympic) 4
1956 Winter Olympics Figure Skating (Skating) USA Hayes Jenkins
Singles, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold

Olympic family relations

Special Notes