Franz Krienbühl (born March 24, 1929, died April 16, 2002) was a Swiss speed skater, and is known mostly because of his inventions that changed the sport. March 24 is the 83rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (84th in Leap years). ... 1929 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... April 16 is the 106th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (107th in leap years). ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Swiss Confederation or Switzerland is a landlocked federal state in Europe, with neighbours Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein. ... Gaetan Boucher training for the 1976 Olympics Speed skating (as well Speedskating) is a form of ice skating in which the competitors attempt to travel a certain distance over the ice as quickly as possible. ...

Starting his sporting career only in his late thirties at the 1968 Olympic Games in Grenoble, Krienbühl mostly skated at the back of the field. However, in 1974, he introduced the one-piece skin suit into speed skating. In spite of the fact that he improved his times dramatically, he was initially laughed at. However, when other skaters also showed improvement, the top skaters quickly switched to the suits as well. Krienbühl also introduced minor improvements for skates. 1968 was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... For months before the Olympic Games, runners relay the Olympic Flame from Olympia to the opening ceremony. ... View of Grenoble, 2002, with the snowy peaks of the Dauphiné Alps Location within France Grenoble ( Occitan: Grasanòbol) is a city and commune in south-east France, situated at the foot of the Alps, at the confluence of the Drac into the Isère River. ... 1974 is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar). ...

Krienbühls best athletic achievement was an 8th position at the 1976 Olympic 10000 m. He stopped speed skating internationally at age 48 the next season, though he continued to skate competitively until 1986. 1976 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1986 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...