Eric Heiden never asked for his moment of fame. It was more than the customary 15 minutes, too. More like nine days. The muscular speed skater never sought the glory, although he skated for the gold.

I like doing the things I like to do and have a hard time compromising," says Eric Heiden, winner of all five men's speed-skating races at the 1980 Winter Olympics. Eric Heiden never asked for his ...