Bonnie Blair of Champaign, Ill., and Nick...

Bonnie Blair of Champaign, Ill., and Nick Thometz of Minnetonka, Minn., bettered their world records in the 500-meter events during the Soviet Speedskating Cup at the high-altitude Medeo rink in Kazakhstan in the Soviet Union.

Blair, 22, was timed in 39.28 seconds for the women’s 500-meter race, improving on the 39.43 clocking she set last week at Heerenveen, Holland.

Thometz, 24, won in 36.23, breaking the record of 36.55 he set last week at Heerenveen.