inside light

Now that Champaign native Bonnie Blair, the most-decorated
U.S. female speedskater in Olympic history, has retired, Tim
Harrington, operations manager at the UI Ice Arena, is
relieved.

"I'm glad she's quitting," joked Harrington, who's running
out of wall space.

Last month, at the rink where Blair started skating at a
very early age, a third plaque was installed in honor of her
Olympic accomplishments.

The first plaque was put up after the 1988 Winter Olympics,
when Blair won gold and bronze medals, in the 500- and 1,000-
meter races. The second plaque was installed after the 1992
Winter Olympics, when she won gold medals in both events.

The latest plaque notes her accomplishments in February 1994
in Lillehammer, Norway: "At the XVI Winter Olympiad, she
became the winningest female Olympian in American history."
The plaque also lists all six of her medals, the four
previous plus the two golds won in the same two events at
Lillehammer.

"We've had a lot of good skaters here," said Harrington,
including on his list at least three other speedskaters who
went on to the Olympics, as well as other state and national
champions. Much of that success has been due to the strength
of the Champaign-Urbana Speedskating Club, which is based at
the UI rink, he said.