Dick Button, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion, passed away at 95. He revolutionized figure skating as a skater, innovator, and broadcaster, elevating the sport's profile and inspiring generations. Button's candid commentary and insightful analysis made him a beloved figure in the world of sports.
Dick Button was more than just the most accomplished men's figure skater in history; he was a true innovator and promoter of the sport. Button, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time consecutive world champion, passed away on Thursday at the age of 95, according to his son, Edward. He didn't disclose the cause of death.
As an entrepreneur and broadcaster, Button dedicated himself to promoting skating and its athletes, transforming a niche sport into a highlight of every Winter Olympics.'Dick was one of the most important figures in our sport,' said Scott Hamilton. 'There wasn't a skater after Dick who wasn't helped by him in some way.' Button's influence began after World War II. He became the first U.S. men's champion — and the youngest at 16 — when the competition resumed in 1946. Two years later, he secured the gold at the St. Moritz Olympics, competing outdoors. He executed the first double axel in any competition and became the first American to win the men's event. According to the Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society, Button was a member from 1946 to 1952 and is now in the club's Hall of Fame. 'By the way, that jump had a cheat on it,' Button told the U.S. Olympic Committee website. 'But listen, I did it and that was what counted.' This marked the beginning of his dominance in international skating and U.S. amateur sports. He was the first figure skater to win the prestigious Sullivan Award in 1949 — no other figure skater achieved this until Michelle Kwan in 2001. In 1952, while a Harvard student, he won a second gold at the Oslo Games, making more history with the first triple jump (a loop) in competition. Soon after, he won a fifth world title, then relinquished his amateur status. All Olympic sports were divided into amateur and professional categories at that time. 'I had achieved everything I could have dreamed of doing as a skater,' said Button, who earned a law degree from Harvard in 1956. 'I was able to enjoy the Ice Capades (show) and keep my hand in skating, and that was very important to me.' With Button, an Emmy Award-winning commentator, viewers not only learned the basics but also the intricacies of a sport unfamiliar to many. He candidly broke down performances, becoming as much a fixture on ABC's 'Wide World of Sports' as Jim McKay and the hapless ski jumper tumbling down the slope.'Dick Button is the custodian of the history of figure skating and its quintessential voice,' said 1988 Olympic champion Brian Boitano in Button's autobiography. 'He made the words 'lutz' and 'salchow' part of our everyday vocabulary.' After a 1961 plane crash tragically killed the entire U.S. figure skating team on their way to the world championships, which were subsequently canceled, Button persuaded ABC Sports executive Roone Arledge to televise the 1962 event on 'Wide World.' This marked the beginning of his tenure as a commentator for the network.Button's death coincided with another devastating tragedy in the skating world. On Wednesday night, an American Airlines flight collided with an Army helicopter and plummeted into the Potomac River outside Washington, D.C., killing everyone on board. Two teenage figure skaters, their mothers, and two former world champions who were coaching at the Skating Club of Boston were among the 14 people killed from the skating community.Button skated for the Boston club and remained close to it for the rest of his life. The trophy room at the club is named in his honor. He also provided opportunities for skaters to generate income after their competitive careers. He ran professional events he created for television for years, attracting many top names in the sport — Hamilton, Torvill and Dean, Kristi Yamaguchi, Kurt Browning, and Katarina Witt. Button's Candid Productions, formed in 1959, also produced made-for-TV programs like 'Battle of the Network Stars.' He even dabbled in acting, but the rink was his true domain.'Dick Button created an open and honest space in figure skating broadcasting where no topic or moment was off-limits,' said Johnny Weir, the three-time U.S. champion and current NBC Sports figure skating analyst. 'He told it like it was, even when his opinion wasn't a popular one. His zingers were always in my mind when I would perform for him, and I wanted to make him as happy and proud as I would my coaches. I think that is something very special about commentating figure skating. As an athlete, we rarely have an opportunity to speak, and we rely on the TV voices to tell our story for us. Nobody could do it like Mr. Button.
Figure Skating Dick Button Olympics World Championships Broadcasting Sport History US Olympics
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dick Button, Figure Skating Legend and Broadcaster, Dies at 95Dick Button, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion, revolutionized figure skating with his innovative jumps and later became a renowned commentator, making the sport more accessible to audiences worldwide.
Read more »
Dick Button, Olympic great and voice of figure skating, dies at 95Dick Button was more than the most accomplished men's figure skater in history. He was one of his sport's greatest innovators and promoters.
Read more »
Dick Button, Figure Skating Legend, Dies at 95Dick Button, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion, revolutionized figure skating as an athlete, broadcaster, and entrepreneur. His groundbreaking performances, insightful commentary, and unwavering dedication to the sport cemented his place as a legend.
Read more »
Dick Button, Figure Skating Legend, Dies at 95Dick Button, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a revolutionary figure in the history of figure skating, passed away at the age of 95. His contributions to the sport spanned decades, from his groundbreaking performances on the ice to his influential role as a commentator.
Read more »
Dick Button, Figure Skating Legend and Broadcast Icon, Dies at 95Dick Button, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion figure skater, passed away at 95. Known for his innovative skating style and groundbreaking achievements, Button also became a prominent figure in broadcasting, popularizing the sport through his insightful commentary on ABC's 'Wide World of Sports'. His legacy extends beyond the ice, having created opportunities for skaters after their competitive careers and leaving an enduring mark on the history and development of figure skating.
Read more »
Dick Button, Two-Time Olympic Figure Skating Champion, Dies at 95Dick Button, a legendary figure skater who won two Olympic gold medals and five consecutive world championships, died Thursday at 95. He was renowned not only for his athletic prowess but also for his innovative jumps, pioneering broadcasting contributions, and tireless promotion of the sport.
Read more »