Young, Sheila (1950–)

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Young, Sheila (1950–)

American speedskater and cyclist. Name variations: Sheila Young Ochowicz. Born Sheila Young, Oct 14, 1950, in Birmingham, Michigan; m. Jim Ochowicz (cyclist), 1976; children: Katie, Alex and Elli Ochowicz (b. 1983, speedskater).

Was the 1st American woman to win the World Sprint Ladies Speedskating cham-pionship (1973), then won again (1975, 1976); won a gold medal in the 500-meter, silver in the 1,500-meter, and bronze in the 1,000-meter at Innsbruck (1976), the 1st American to win 3 medals in the Olympic Winter Games; won both the speedskating overall and sprint cycling World titles (1976), the 1st athlete, male or female, to hold World titles in both speedskating and cycling. Was a founding member of the Women's Sports Foundation; served on the board of US Olympic Committee, US Cycling Federation, and Special Olympics International.

See also (juvenile) Joe Soucheray, Sheila Young (Creative Education Society, 1977); and Women in World History.