Eric Heiden

Three times he broke the world record in the 1000 metres twice in the 3000 metres and once each in the 1500 metres and 10000 metres. He was the most successful athlete at the same Games and is indeed the most successful Winter Olympian from a single edition of Winter Olympics. World records

Over the course of Heiden's career he skated 15 world records:
Source: SpeedSkatingStats.

Heiden is an icon in the speed skating community and in particular in Europe where the sport is highly regarded. Heiden ranked No. He is considered by some to be the best overall speedskater (short and long distances) in the sport's history.