Cathy Turner

Short track speed skater, winner of gold medals at the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics

What is Cathy Turner known for?

Born on April 10, 1962, in Rochester, New York, Cathy Ann Turner is a celebrated American short track speed skater. A proud alumna of East High School, Rochester, Cathy's career is replete with impressive achievements, including winning gold medals at both the 1992 Winter Olympics held in Albertville and the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. Additionally, she was part of the silver medal-winning 3000-meter relay team at Albertville.

Interestingly, Cathy's journey wasn't limited to the skating rink. In 1980, she took a detour from skating to pursue a career in singing. Adopting the stage name Nikki Newland, she showcased her diverse talents by writing songs and performing in bands and shows. After a nine-year sabbatical from skating, the exhibition of short-track speed skating at the 1988 Winter Olympics prompted her to return to the sport.

After the 1992 Games, Cathy took another break from competitive skating to join the Ice Capades as a singer and skater in the "Made In America" tour. However, she felt the pull of the ice once more and returned to compete in the 1994 Games. In these games, she won a gold in the 500 meters and a bronze in the 3000-meter team relay, despite a controversy where she was accused of impeding another skater. Cathy competed in the 1998 Winter Olympics as well, where she placed fifth in the 3000-meter relay.

Currently, Cathy resides in Parma, New York, and keep herself engaged in several roles like a Database Administrator at Paychex Inc., a motivational speaker, and a product spokesperson. With a bachelor's degree in computer science from Northern Michigan University, she also contributes to literary works, including 'Awaken The Olympian Within'.

Throughout her career, Cathy's tenacity and talent have been highlighted in various prestigious publications like The New York Times and Sports Illustrated. For an in-depth look into her career, you can check her profile on the US Olympic Committee website.

Despite the challenges and transitions, Cathy Turner remains an inspiration, a testament to the power of dedication, and ambition.