Valentine Bialas
Encyclopedia
Valentine Bialas was an American
speed skater who competed in the 1924 Winter Olympics
, in the 1928 Winter Olympics
and in the 1932 Winter Olympics
.
In 1924 he finished sixth in the 5000 metres event
and eighth in the 10000 metres competition
.
Four years later he finished sixth in the 1500 metres event
as well as sixth in the 5000 metres competition
, and 17th in the 500 metres competition
. He also started in the abandoned 10000 metres event
.
At the 1932 Olympics he finished fifth in the 10000 metres competition
.
Val also won the International Speed Skating title in Detroit in 1926, and established a world record for two miles at Lake Placid in 1929 with a time of 5:35.5.
He qualified for the 1936 Olympic team as an alternate, but could not participate in those Olympics because he was injured in an auto/train collision which occurred in an icy downpour on the way home from a skating meet. He lost his leg in the collision. Fitted with an artificial leg, he continued to skate for recreation, play quite successfully in city tennis tournaments, and coach and guide young athletes. Early morning skating sessions sometimes included shoveling snow off the frozen Barge Canal for a makeshift rink.
He was inducted into the Speed Skating Hall of Fame on May 11, 1963.
The Val Bialas Ski Center in Utica, New York is named in his honor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
speed skater who competed in the 1924 Winter Olympics
1924 Winter Olympics
The 1924 Winter Olympics, officially known as the I Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was held in 1924 in Chamonix, France...
, in the 1928 Winter Olympics
1928 Winter Olympics
The 1928 Winter Olympics, officially known as the II Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated February 11–19, 1928 in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The 1928 Games were the first true Winter Olympics held on its own as they were not in conjunction with a Summer Olympics...
and in the 1932 Winter Olympics
1932 Winter Olympics
The 1932 Winter Olympics, officially known as the III Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1932 in Lake Placid, New York, United States. The games opened on February 4 and closed on February 15. It would be the first winter olympics held in the United...
.
In 1924 he finished sixth in the 5000 metres event
Speed skating at the 1924 Winter Olympics - Men's 5000 metres
The 5000 metres speed skating event was part of the speed skating at the 1924 Winter Olympics programme. The competition was held on Saturday, January 26, 1924.Twenty-two speed skaters from ten nations competed.-Medalists:-Records:...
and eighth in the 10000 metres competition
Speed skating at the 1924 Winter Olympics - Men's 10000 metres
The 10000 metres speed skating event was part of the speed skating at the 1924 Winter Olympics programme. The competition was held on Sunday, January 27, 1924.Sixteen speed skaters from six nations competed.-Medalists:-Records:...
.
Four years later he finished sixth in the 1500 metres event
Speed skating at the 1928 Winter Olympics - Men's 1500 metres
The 1500 metres speed skating event was part of the speed skating at the 1928 Winter Olympics programme. The competition was held on Tuesday, February 14, 1928.Thirty speed skaters from 14 nations competed.-Medalists:-Records:...
as well as sixth in the 5000 metres competition
Speed skating at the 1928 Winter Olympics - Men's 5000 metres
The 5000 metres speed skating event was part of the speed skating at the 1928 Winter Olympics programme. The competition was held on Monday, February 13, 1928.Thirty-three speed skaters from 14 nations competed.-Medalists:-Records:...
, and 17th in the 500 metres competition
Speed skating at the 1928 Winter Olympics - Men's 500 metres
The 500 metres speed skating event was part of the speed skating at the 1928 Winter Olympics programme. The competition was held on Monday, February 13, 1928.Thirty-three speed skaters from 14 nations competed.-Medalists:-Records:...
. He also started in the abandoned 10000 metres event
Speed skating at the 1928 Winter Olympics - Men's 10000 metres
The 10000 metres speed skating event was part of the speed skating at the 1928 Winter Olympics programme. The competition was held on Tuesday, February 14, 1928.Ten speed skaters from six nations competed....
.
At the 1932 Olympics he finished fifth in the 10000 metres competition
Speed skating at the 1932 Winter Olympics - Men's 10000 metres
The 10000 metres speed skating event was part of the speed skating at the 1932 Winter Olympics programme. The competition was held on Friday, February 5, 1932, on Saturday, February 6, 1932, and on Monday, February 8, 1932....
.
Val also won the International Speed Skating title in Detroit in 1926, and established a world record for two miles at Lake Placid in 1929 with a time of 5:35.5.
He qualified for the 1936 Olympic team as an alternate, but could not participate in those Olympics because he was injured in an auto/train collision which occurred in an icy downpour on the way home from a skating meet. He lost his leg in the collision. Fitted with an artificial leg, he continued to skate for recreation, play quite successfully in city tennis tournaments, and coach and guide young athletes. Early morning skating sessions sometimes included shoveling snow off the frozen Barge Canal for a makeshift rink.
He was inducted into the Speed Skating Hall of Fame on May 11, 1963.
The Val Bialas Ski Center in Utica, New York is named in his honor.