Peggy Fleming facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Peggy Fleming
Fleming at a joint Canada–USA event during the 2010 Winter Olympics
Personal information
Country represented	United States
Born	(1948-07-27) July 27, 1948 (age 77) San Jose, California, U.S.
Height	5 ft 4 in
Skating club	Arctic Blades FSC, Lake Arrowhead Broadmoor Skating Club, Colorado Springs
Retired	1968
Medal record Figure skating: Ladies' singles Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1968 Grenoble Ladies' singles World Championships Gold 1968 Geneva Ladies' singles Gold 1967 Vienna Ladies' singles Gold 1966 Davos Ladies' singles Bronze 1965 Colorado Springs Ladies' singles North American Championships Gold 1967 Montreal Ladies' singles Silver 1965 Rochester Ladies' singles

Peggy Gale Fleming, born on July 27, 1948, is a famous American figure skater who is now retired. She won the gold medal at the 1968 Winter Olympics in ladies' singles. She was the only American to win gold at those Games. Peggy also became a three-time World Champion in figure skating from 1966 to 1968. After her amazing skating career, she spent over 20 years as a television commentator for figure skating, even covering several Winter Olympic Games.

Peggy Fleming's Amazing Skating Journey

Peggy grew up in San Jose, California. She started skating when she was nine years old, thanks to her father. A sad event happened in 1961 when Peggy was twelve. Her coach, William Kipp, and the entire U.S. figure skating team passed away in a plane crash. They were traveling to the 1961 World Figure Skating Championships. After this, Peggy was coached by Carlo Fassi.

Her unique and beautiful skating style helped her achieve great success. She won five U.S. titles, three World titles, and the gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Grenoble, France. Experts say Peggy's Olympic performance was a very important moment for the artistic side of competitive skating.

For her Grenoble performance, Peggy's mother chose a special chartreuse-colored costume. This color is named after a liqueur made by monks in the region. This might have made the local French audience cheer even louder for Peggy! Her gold medal was incredibly important for the American team and the country. It was the only gold medal the U.S. Olympic team won at the 1968 Winter Olympics. It also showed that American women's figure skating was strong again after the tragic 1961 plane crash.

Peggy Fleming was known for her elegant and disciplined style. Her mother made her costumes, which were simple and classic. Peggy also used ballet moves and classical music in her routines, showing great grace. Her fame helped more women become visible in the world of sports. She inspired many other women to pursue their dreams.

After becoming an Olympic champion, Peggy became a professional skater. She performed in many TV shows, including her own NBC specials. She also toured with famous skating shows like Ice Capades. She even filmed a TV show in the USSR and skated in China. Since 1981, she has been a skating commentator for ABC Sports. In 1993, a study found that Peggy was the third most popular athlete in America. This showed how much people admired her.

Peggy's Life Off the Ice

On June 13, 1970, Peggy married her high school sweetheart, Greg Jenkins. He is a doctor and used to be an amateur figure skater too. They have two sons, Andy (born in 1977) and Todd (born in 1988), and three grandchildren. Today, they live in Denver, Colorado.

In 1998, Peggy faced a health challenge. Thanks to early detection and successful treatment, she recovered fully. She now actively encourages everyone to get regular health check-ups. She emphasizes how important it is to find problems early.

Peggy and her husband also owned a winery in California called Fleming Jenkins Vineyards & Winery. They made different kinds of wine. Some of the money from their "Victories Rosé" wine went to charities that supported health research. The winery closed in 2011.

Peggy has been honored in many ways. In 1988, a special porcelain doll of Peggy Fleming was created by Franklin Mint. She also appeared as a judge in the movie Blades of Glory in 2007. In 2010, a documentary was made about her. She is also an artist whose works are displayed with the Art of the Olympians.

In 2010, while attending the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Peggy was involved in a minor traffic incident. She was riding in a motorcade and was briefly hospitalized but recovered quickly.

American Hero

Peggy Fleming is considered an American hero because she achieved an incredible feat at the 1968 Winter Olympics, winning a gold medal in figure skating with grace and skill, bringing immense pride and joy to the United States.

Peggy's skating was renowned for its unparalleled grace, beauty, and artistic expression. She elevated figure skating to an art form, captivating audiences worldwide. Her journey to the Olympics was marked by years of intense training and unwavering dedication, demonstrating the power of hard work and commitment. She has consistently embodied sportsmanship, dignity, and a positive spirit, inspiring countless young people to pursue their passions and strive for excellence.

Even after her competitive career, she continued to contribute to the sport as a professional skater and a respected commentator, sharing her love and knowledge of figure skating with new generations.

Peggy Fleming's legacy is one of excellence, elegance, and inspiration. She showed the world what it means to achieve greatness with grace and to represent one's country with honor.

Performance Highlights

Awards and Honors

• ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year, 1967.
• In 2003, Fleming was honored with the "Lombardi Award of Excellence" from the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation. This award celebrates individuals who show the spirit of Coach Vince Lombardi.

See also

In Spanish: Peggy Fleming para niños