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One of figure skating's greatest legends has died. Dick Button, 95, the golden boy who began it all by revolutionizing the sport, passed away on January 31, 2025.
Born Richard Totten Button, he soon became a prominent figure in the sport following World War II. In 1946, when he was only 16 years old, Dick Button became the youngest champion in history by winning the U.S. men's championship.
Button's international success began with his participation in the 1948 Winter Olympics held at St. Moritz. There, he became the first man who ever made double axel in competition and won the gold. He was the first American man to do so.
Olympic achievements of Dick Button
Button's successes continued during the Oslo Games of 1952, where he won his second gold medal in succession and thus became the first skater ever to land a triple jump in competition.
Accomplishments included:
Winter Olympics 1948 - Gold medal and first to perform a double axel.
Winter Olympics 1952 - Gold medal and first to perform a triple loop.
Overall, he won five consecutive world titles from 1948 to 1952 and became one of the greatest figure skaters ever.
Contributions and inventions
Other than his excellent athletic skills, Button was recognized for his contribution to figure skating through innovative techniques. He introduced the flying camel spin and had a significant influence on the development of the sport through his very entertaining commentary.
He truly helped demystify figure skating for those who didn't understand it.
Dick Button was the first figure skater to receive the Sullivan Award in 1949. That award went to no other skater until Michelle Kwan in 2001.
Broadcasting career
After Button retired from competition, he entered broadcasting. He became a favorite television analyst of figure skating events, winning an Emmy Award for his work.
His commentary was marked by such vigor and depth, teaching audiences not only technical aspects of performance but also curiously colorful insights.
Dick Button started his career with CBS in 1960 while covering the Winter Olympics. Then, he found his solid base in the production of ABC's "Wide World of Sports."
Legacy
Dick Button had a profound impact on the sport of figure skating, as he converted the niche into a prominent feature of the Winter Olympics. His dedication to promoting the event influenced the generations of skaters who came after him, such as the big champions Scott Hamilton and Brian Boitano.
The U.S. Figure Skating organization issued deep condolences over his passing and named him a pivotal figure whose legacy will live on.
"U.S. Figure Skating mourns the loss of the legendary Dick Button. His legacy will live on forever. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."
1984 Olympic champion, Scott Hamilton, was quoted as saying by Today:
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“Dick was one of the most important figures in our sport. There wasn’t a skater after Dick who wasn’t helped by him in some way.”
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