 The city was awarded the 1980 Winter Olympics in October 1974, at a time when an artificial ice track was being constructed (which opened in late-fall 1977).The first international championship to be held at the new rink was the 1978 World Sprint Speed Skating Championship for women and men.During the 1980 Olympics competition, Eric Heiden won five gold medals and set a world record in the 10,000-meter event, with a time of 14.28,13—the only world record to have been achieved at the rink.