Trailblazer of Figure Skating: Dick Button, Olympic Legend and Iconic Voice of the Sport, Passes Away at 95

Dick Button was not only the most decorated man in the history of figure skating but also a remarkable innovator and advocate for the sport. He is the creative mind behind the flying camel spin and was instrumental in introducing it to countless fans over the years.

His diverse talents spanned athletics, acting, broadcasting, and entrepreneurship.

“Dick has been one of the most pivotal figures in our sport,” remarked Scott Hamilton, the 1984 Olympic champion. “Every skater that followed him benefited from his influence in some way.”

The two-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion passed away on Thursday in North Salem, New York, at the age of 95, as confirmed by his son, Edward, who did not disclose the cause of death, although Button had been in deteriorating health.

“The pioneering style of our two-time Olympic champion, along with his award-winning television commentary, transformed figure skating,” stated U.S. Figure Skating. “His legacy will endure indefinitely. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”

His passing has further saddened a close-knit figure skating community, which was already mourning the tragic crash of an American Airlines flight and an army helicopter near Washington, resulting in the loss of everyone on board. Among the 14 victims from the skating community were two teenage skaters, their mothers, and two former world champions who were coaching at the Skating Club of Boston — a place Button skated at throughout his life.

The trophy room at the Skating Club of Boston bears Button’s name, and the club has also established the Dick Button Artistic Figure Skating Showcase, aimed at showcasing the artistry and innovation in skating.

Button’s influence on figure skating blossomed post-World War II. In 1946, he became the first U.S. men’s champion and the youngest at the age of 16 when the competition made its return. The following Olympic Games in St. Moritz in 1948 saw him capture gold, competing in outdoor events. He became the first athlete to land a double axel in competition and the first American to win the men’s championship, thereby paving the way for future stars like Hamilton, Brian Boitano, and Nathan Chen.

“Mind you, I might have had a little cheat on that jump,” Button confessed previously. “But what mattered was that I completed it.”

This initial Olympic victory marked the start of his supremacy in international skating and U.S. amateur sports alike. He became the first figure skater to claim the prestigious Sullivan Award in 1949, a title that went unclaimed by another skater until Michelle Kwan in 2001.

While still a Harvard student in 1952, Button won his second gold medal at the Oslo Games, making history by executing the first triple jump (a loop) in competition. Soon thereafter, he clinched a fifth world title before relinquishing his amateur status to pursue performances in shows; during this period, Olympic sports were divided between amateurs and professionals.

“I accomplished everything I had ever dreamed of as a skater,” Button reflected, having earned a law degree from Harvard in 1956. “I could enjoy the Ice Capades while still remaining connected to skating, and that meant a lot to me.”

With his candid and often brutally honest approach, Button evolved into an Emmy Award-winning television analyst, enlightening viewers on the fundamentals as well as the subtleties of a sport that many casual fans were unacquainted with. He became a constant presence on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports,” alongside Jim McKay and the unfortunate ski jumper who would often tumble down the slopes.

“Dick Button is the guardian of figure skating’s history and its most iconic voice,” said Boitano, the 1988 Olympic champion, in Button’s autobiography. “He made terms like ‘lutz’ and ‘salchow’ part of our everyday language.”

Following the tragic 1961 plane crash that took the lives of the entire U.S. figure skating team en route to the world championships, which were then cancelled, Button urged ABC Sports executive Roone Arledge to broadcast the 1962 event on “Wide World.” This was how he joined the network as a commentator, bringing figure skating into the mainstream television arena.

Button also organised professional events that offered skaters a chance to draw income from their skills once their competitive careers had concluded. The World Professional Figure Skating Championships, the Challenge of Champions, and other events gave opportunities to Hamilton, the dance duo of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, Kurt Browning, Katarina Witt, and many more to shine.

In addition, Button dabbled in acting, appearing in various shows and films, including “The Young Doctors” and “The Bad News Bears Go to Japan.” His studio, Candid Productions, was behind made-for-TV productions like “Battle of the Network Stars.”

“Dick Button fostered an open and honest environment in figure skating commentary where no subject was taboo,” noted Johnny Weir, the three-time U.S. champion and current NBC Sports figure skating analyst. “He voiced the truth, even when it wasn’t the popular opinion. His comments always lingered in my mind as I performed for him, and I aspired to make him as elated and proud as I would my coaches.”

“That’s the unique aspect about figure skating commentary,” Weir added. “As athletes, we seldom have the chance to voice our perspective, and we depend on the commentators to narrate our stories. No one could do it like Mr. Button.”

Button is survived by his long-time partner, Dennis Grimaldi, and his two children, Edward and Emily.