1,000 metres, Women

Bonnie Blair (United States) had already won the 500 m, and given her season’s track record of three World Cup wins, she was favored for the gold in this event as well. The fourth World cup race held during the season was, in Blair’s absence, won by Ye Qiaobo. The Chinese skater had also taken a silver medal in the 500 m. Based on season results Monique Garbrecht (the 1991 World Sprint Champion) and Christine Aaftink were also considered for a medal.

As in the 500 m, Aaftink set the first mark, with 1:22.60. Bonnie Blair went well below that time in pair three, setting the target at 1:21.90. Nobody threatened the time until the sixth pair, which featured both Garbrecht and Ye. Departing slower than Blair, Ye had power left for a fast final 400 m. Chased down by Garbrecht, Ye missed the American’s time by just 0.02 seconds, with Garbrecht coming home in 1:22.10. Coached by 1976 Olympic champion Peter Mueller, Bonnie Blair won her third Olympic title. She also became the first woman to win both sprint distances at the Olympics since Lidiya Skoblikova swept all four titles at the 1964 Games.