Beth Heiden

Elizabeth Lee "Beth" Heiden ( born September 27, 1959 in Madison, Wisconsin) is a former American speed skater and cyclist.

As the first American woman Beth Heidi won the 1979 race over all four route lengths - from 500 to 3000 meters - and was the overall world champion in speed skating. At the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, she won the bronze medal on the 3000 - m- long haul. In 1980, Beth Heiden also cycling world champion in the road race and also in the years 1979 and 1980 national champion three times.

Her brother Eric Heiden won all five gold medals at the 1980 Games in speed skating, from the 500 - m sprint track up to 10,000 m marathon.