A—D
Richard Button
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 Collections Other 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.
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