Ard Schenk
Netherlands
Speed Skating
B: October 17, 1946
1972 Triple Olympic Champion
Schenk entered the 1972 Olympic Games in Sapporo as a favorite to win multiple gold medals. He emerged with three gold medals (1500, 5000 and 10000 meters) and was prevented from a sweep when he fell a few strides into the 500 meter race. Schenk first appeared in the 1964 Olympics where he finished 13th at 1500 meters. In 1966, Schenk won the European Allround title and finished second in the World Championships. After another World Championship silver in 1967, Schenk won a silver medal at 1500 meters in the 1968 Olympics and finished 13th at 500 meters. He would capture the bronze in the World Championship Allround later that year. Schenk would win the World Allround Championship in 1970 and '71 and the '70 and '72 European titles. Schenk won three gold medals at the Olympics in Sapporo and then became the first skater in 40 years to capture all four distances at the World Championships in Oslo. Schenk finished third in the inaugural World Sprint Championships, winning the 1000 meters both days, but finishing 16th in each 500 meter race. Schenk would forgo amateur competition as he was one of a handful of skaters to launch a professional circuit in 1973. Schenk won both the World and European professional title in 1973 and finished sixth in 1974 before the pro circuit folded. During his career, Schenk set a total of 18 world records.
SUPERSTARS RECORD
| EVENT |
PLACE |
POINTS |
MONEY |
EVENT WINS |
| 1974 Preliminary 2 |
1 |
49 1/2 |
$14,950 |
100 Yard Dash, Half Mile Run, Bike Race |
| 1974 Final |
7 |
18 |
$6,400 |
Bike Race |
| 1975 Preliminary 1 |
3 |
23 1/2 |
$4,850 |
Bike Race |
| 1975 Final |
6 |
18 |
$6,400 |
Bike Race |
| 1975 European Heat 3 | 1 |
47 |
£2,500 |
Cycling, Soccer Penalties, 600 Meter Steeplechase |
| 1975 European Final |
3 |
39 |
£2,000 |
Soccer Test, Pistol Shooting |
| TOTALS |
204 |
$32,600 |
11 |
PERSONAL BESTS
| Tennis | 6th |
1975 European Heat 3 |
| Weight Lifting |
200 |
1974 Preliminary 2 |
| Weight Lifting - Clean & Jerk | 90.0 |
1975 European Heat 3 |
| Gym Test - Medicine Ball Throw | 10.87 |
1975 European Final |
| Gym Test - Parallel Bar Dips | 11 |
1975 European Final |
| Gym Test - Squat Thrusts | 59 |
1975 European Final |
| Shooting | 82 |
1975 European Heat 3 |
| Soccer Penalties (out of 5) | 5 |
1975 European Heat 3 |
| Rowing | 1:28.17 |
1975 Preliminary 1 |
| Rowing - 150 Meters | 50.1 |
1975 European Final |
| Bowling |
156 |
1974 Final |
| 100 Yard Dash |
11.1 |
1974 Final 1975 Preliminary 1 |
| 100 Meter Dash | 12.2 |
1975 European Heat 3 |
| Half Mile Run |
2:14.95 |
1974 Preliminary 2 |
| 600 Meter Steeplechase | 1:44.1 |
1975 European Heat 3 |
| Cycling - 800 Meters | 1:03.93 |
1975 European Final |
| Bike Race - 1/2 Mile |
1:10.56 |
1974 Preliminary 2 |
| Bike Race - Mile |
2;31.65 |
1974 Preliminary 2 |
| Obstacle Course |
26.23 |
1975 Preliminary 1 |
| Points Scored |
49 1/2 |
1974 Preliminary 2 |
| Points Scored (8 out 10 events) | 47 |
1975 European Heat 3 |