XVIII Winter Olympic Games of 1998 in Nagano

About games

• On the eve of the XVIII Olympic Winter Games, Amsterdam professor Gerrit Jan van Ingen Schoenau invented a new skate design with a detachable heel, which allowed speed skating to reach a new level – 5 world and 5 Olympic records were set in Nagano.

• American figure skater Tara Lipinski became the youngest winner of the Olympic Winter Games, winning gold in single skating at the age of 15.

• Unprecedented success in Olympic history has been achieved by Russian skiers who won all five races on the slopes in Hakuba. Larisa Lazutina, who received the title of Hero of Russia, brought three gold medals – 2 for individual race wins and one in relay, as well as silver and bronze medals from Japan to Odintsovo, Moscow region.