Dick Button

American figure skater who won two Olympic gold medals and five consecutive World Championships, revolutionizing men's figure skating in the 1940s-50s.

Born in Englewood, New Jersey, on July 18, 1929, Richard Totten "Dick" Button began figure skating at age 12 after his father suggested the sport might help with his posture. He quickly demonstrated exceptional athletic ability and an innovative approach to the technical elements of skating. Training under coach Gustave Lussi, Button developed a powerful jumping technique that would revolutionize men's figure skating. Button dominated competitive figure skating from the mid-1940s through the early 1950s, capturing two Olympic gold medals at St. Moritz in 1948 and Oslo in 1952. He also claimed five consecutive World Championships from 1948 to 1952 and seven United States national titles. His competitive peak coincided with figure skating's post-war surge in popularity, and his athletic style contrasted sharply with the more artistic approach that had previously defined men's skating. The American skater achieved numerous technical firsts that established new standards for the sport. He became the first person to successfully land a double axel in Olympic competition at the 1948 Games, and four years later at the 1952 Olympics, he executed the first triple jump in Olympic history with his triple loop. These groundbreaking elements, combined with his exceptional speed and power, earned him consistent perfect scores from judges and set benchmarks that influenced generations of skaters. Following his competitive retirement, Button transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting, becoming the voice of figure skating for American television audiences for over four decades. His expert commentary on ABC and later CBS helped educate viewers about technical elements while maintaining the sport's entertainment value. Beyond broadcasting, he worked as a producer, lawyer, and author, writing several books about figure skating. His dual legacy as both a revolutionary competitive skater and influential media personality cemented his position as one of the most important figures in American figure skating history.

Athletic and powerful jumping style that emphasized technical innovation over traditional artistry

Revolutionized figure skating with athletic jumping style and later became influential television commentator

• 1948 Olympic Gold Medal
• 1952 Olympic Gold Medal
• Five World Championships (1948-1952)
• Seven U.S. National Championships