Who did Tara Lipinski beat to win the gold medal?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 11, 2026
In 1994, at age 12, she won a gold medal at the U.S. Olympic Festival, a junior-level competition. In 1997, Lipinski, then 14, took first place at both the national and world figure skating championships, beating out her American rival and perennial fan favorite, Michelle Kwan.In 1994, at age 12, she won a gold medal at the U.S. Olympic Festival, a junior-level competition. In 1997, Lipinski, then 14, took first place at both the national and world figure skating championships, beating out her American rival and perennial fan favorite, Michelle Kwan Kwan grew up speaking both Cantonese and English at home. Kwan's interest in figure skating began at the age of five when she followed her two older siblings (ice hockey player Ron and figure skater Karen) onto the ice. Karen and Michelle began serious training when Michelle was about eight years old. › wiki › Michelle_Kwan
Has Tara Lipinski won an Olympic medal?
Tara Lipinski, in full Tara Kristen Lipinski, (born June 10, 1982, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.), American figure skater who in 1998 became the youngest female in her sport to win an Olympic gold medal.
What Olympics did Tara Lipinski win gold?
At age 14, Tara became the youngest person ever to win a World Figure Skating Championship. One year later, the gold medal she won at the 1998 Nagano Olympic Games made her the youngest winner of an individual medal ever. (She was 15 years and 255 days old, notes USA Today.)
How did Tara Lipinski win gold?
Still, when the 1998 Olympic Games came around, Lipinski was picked for the silver medal behind Michelle Kwan. Kwan led after the short programme, but Lipinski's exuberant long programme won her the first place votes of six of the nine judges and she edged ahead to take the gold medal.
Where Tara Lipinski won gold medal?
Tara Lipinski won the women's figure skating gold medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano Japan.
22 related questions foundWho beat Tara Lipinski?
At Skate America, Kwan defeated Lipinski for the first time in three competitions and won the gold medal.
How many gold medals did Tara Lipinski win?
And Russia's 15-year-old Kamila Valiyeva is the favorite to win this year. Calling the competition will be NBC Sports figure skating analyst Tara Lipinski, who herself also won gold at 15 while representing the United States in Nagano in 1998.
Who was the youngest Olympian to win gold?
Gestring became the youngest person ever to win an Olympic gold medal at the age of 13 years and 268 days, in what was considered to be an upset, given her competition.
Who is the youngest gold medalist?
The current accepted youngest gold medalist is Marjorie Gestring, a 13-year-old American diver who won the springboard competition in 1936.
When did Johnny Weir win gold?
Johnny Weir, US Figure Skating National Championships, 2004, gold medalist. At age 19, Johnny was the youngest men's champion since 1991.
Who won gold medals in both Summer and Winter Olympics?
Eddie Eagan and Gillis Grafström were the only two athletes to win gold medals in both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
Did Michelle Kwan ever win gold?
Michelle Kwan was one of the best figure skaters of the post-school figure era, but one who was unable to win an elusive Olympic gold medal.
Who is the oldest gold medalist?
Oscar Gomer Swahn (20 October 1847 – 1 May 1927) was a Swedish shooter who competed at three Olympic games and won six medals, including three gold. Swahn holds records as the oldest Olympian at the time of competition, the oldest person to win gold, and the oldest person to win an Olympic medal.
Who's the oldest Olympian?
The title of oldest Olympian belongs to Swedish shooter Oscar Swahn whose last Olympic appearance came at 72 years, 279 days. In his three Olympic appearances, Swahn won six Olympic medals — three golds, a silver and two bronze — all over the age of 60.
Who was the first African to win a gold medal?
John Baxter Taylor Jr.
(November 3, 1882, Washington, D.C. – December 2, 1908, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) was an American track and field athlete, notable as the first African American to win an Olympic gold medal.
Who is the oldest Olympian in 2022?
Germany's Claudia Pechstein is the oldest woman that is competing in the 2022 Olympics. She is turning 50 this month.
Is there a 13-year-old in the Olympics?
Imagine being a 13-year-old Olympic gold champion! Well, it's an amazing reality for Japan's Momiji Nishiya. The young skater has just made history by winning the first-ever Olympic gold medal in women's street skateboarding at the Games in Tokyo.
When did Tara Lipinski win a gold medal?
Olympic history
Still, when the 1998 Olympic Games came around, Lipinski was picked for the silver medal behind Michelle Kwan. Kwan led after the short programme, but Lipinski's exuberant long programme won her the first place votes of six of the nine judges and she edged ahead to take the gold medal.
How did Lipinski beat Kwan?
NAGANO, Feb. 20 — Tara Lipinski, a 15-year-old girl wearing ice skates, blue sequins and an infectious smile, became the youngest Olympic gold medalist in figure skating history tonight, using a joyful performance to score an upset of fellow U.S. skater Michelle Kwan.
Who has landed a triple axel?
Her countrywoman Ito Midori was the first (Lillehammer 1992), followed by another Japanese skater in Asada Mao (2010 and 2014). American Mirai Nagasu was the lone skater to land one at PyeongChang 2018, while ROC's Kamila Valieva landed one in the team event last week in Beijing.
How do figure skaters not get cut?
Figure skating blades aren't like knives.
The blades also have two edges with a grooved, concave center. This means that the female skaters' weight is distributed over a slightly larger area than if the blades had a single, super-thin edge, like knives do.
Did Nancy Kerrigan recover?
In January 1994, an assailant used a police baton to strike Kerrigan on her landing knee; the attacker was hired by the ex-husband of her rival Tonya Harding. The attack injured Kerrigan, but she quickly recovered.
