Diana

Golden

Diana Golden was a Paralympic gold medalist, 10-time world champion and 19-time U.S. champion in the standing class. She also won the gold medal in giant slalom at the Paralympic Winter Games Calgary 1988. The Lincoln, Massachusetts, native grew up skiing, but was diagnosed with bone cancer in her right leg after collapsing on a walk home from the slopes. The doctors then amputated her leg above the knee to stop the cancer from spreading. After being fitted with a prosthetic, Golden learned to both walk and ski again, joining the U.S. Disabled Ski Team at the age of 17. Golden dominated both national and international competition throughout her competitive skiing career, capturing three gold medals at the 1986 World Disabled Championships and winning all four possible disciplines at the U.S. Disabled Alpine Championships in 1987 and 1988. At the Paralympic Winter Games Calgary 1988, Golden won a gold medal in disabled skiing, where the event was a demonstration sport. Gold persuaded the U.S. Ski Association to allow disabled skiers to compete in national championships against able-bodied skiers. The policy became known as the “Golden Rule.” She was inducted into both the Women’s Sports Foundation International Hall of Fame and the National Ski Hall of Fame in 1997. Golden passed away in August 2001 at the age of 38 after her cancer returned for the third time.