Amy Van Dyken
Amy Van Dyken was diagnosed with asthma at a young age. To help strengthen her lungs and learn to control her breathing, it was suggested by her doctor to take up swimming. Little did anyone know that this Denver native would grow up to be the first American woman to win four gold medals in a single Olympics (Atlanta, 1996), winning six over all throughout the course of her career.
Eddie Eagan
Colorado native, Eddie Eagan, is infamous for winning two gold medals in two completely different sports. After taking gold in boxing in 1920, Eagan went back to school, enlisted in the U.S. Army, and started practicing law. However, Eagan wanted to try something new. While some pick up hobbies, Eagan decided to join the U.S. Olympic bobsled team, even though he had no experience in the sport. Even so, his team took home gold in the 1932 Olympics. To this day, he is the only person to ever win gold in the winter and summer games in different events.
Dorothy Hamill
Known for her bob haircut, incredible talent, and peaceful nature, figure skating gold medalist Dorothy Hamill was “America’s sweetheart” in the ‘70s. Her figure skating career took off when she won a gold medal at the age of 19, and continued to win world championships throughout the rest of her competitive career. Hamill has since retired to Vail, Colo.
