St Moritz, February 1948: Richard BUTTON, USA, 1st, in action in the individual figure skating event during the V Olympic Winter Games. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum CollectionsOther names: BUTTON, Richard Totten, BUTTON, Dick
Born: 18 July 1929
Birthplace: N/A
Nationality: United States
Sport: Skating
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
St. Moritz 1948
Oslo 1952
AWARDS
Olympic medals:
Gold: 2
Other results:
World Championships
Gold: 5 (48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
Silver: 1 (47)
Courageous Innovator
Two days before the free skating portion of the 1948 Winter Olympics, 18-year-old Richard "Dick" Button successfully completed a double Axel for the first time. Despite its newness, he attempted the move in competition anyway. He hit the double Axel perfectly. Eight of the nine judges awarded Button first place and he earned the gold medal.
Four years later, at the 1952 Oslo Olympics, Button was in command and could have won the championship again by merely performing a safe programme. Instead, Button chose to attempt a triple loop even though no skater had ever performed a triple jump in competition. Once again, Button hit his innovative jump perfectly. This time the judges were unanimous in voting him the winner.
