Connie Paraskevin

Who is Connie Paraskevin?

Constance Anne Paraskevin, known as Connie is a retired American professional track cyclist and speed skater. She is a four times sprint world champion, ten times national sprint champion and an Olympic bronze medalist.

Paraskevin began skating at the age of ten, she won two bronze medals at the world speed skating championships in 1978. At the age of 19, she was a member of the US team at the 1980 Winter Olympics although she did not compete. Four years later she competed at the 1984 Winter Olympics.

Paraskevin campaigned to have the women's sprint event included in the 1988 Summer Olympics before going on to win a bronze medal in the event in Seoul. She went on to compete at a further two Summer Olympics before retiring at the end of 1996.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, she is the former wife of the Olympic cyclist Roger Young. Paraskevin also coached the speed skater Bonnie Blair when she briefly dabbled in track cycling. She is now a coach and motivational speaker.