Armin Zöggeler

Armin Zöggeler (born 4 January 1974) is a luger and double Olympic champion who is an Italian national. He is one of the most successful men in the sport, nicknamed Il Cannibale ("The Cannibal"), for his notable series of victories, or The Iceblood Champion, for his always cold, rational approach to the races.

Zöggeler was born in Meran, South Tyrol. A Carabiniere by profession, he began to luge at a very young age, over natural tracks. He won the junior World Cup when he was 14, and made his debut with the Italian national team at the age of 19. Despite a lack of tracks in Italy until the construction of the Cesana Pariol track for the 2006 Winter Olympics, he evolved into one of the most effective lugers ever.

Zöggeler is the only Italian (together with Edoardo Mangiarotti) to have won at least a medal in five consecutive editions of Olympic Games (Summer Olympics included) with medals in the men's singles event that include two golds (2002, 2006), one silver (1998), and two bronze (1994, 2010). He also has fifteen medals at the FIL World Luge Championships, including six golds (Men's singles: 1995, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2011), five silvers (Men's singles: 2000, 2007, 2009; Mixed team: 1995, 2007), and four bronzes (Mixed team: 1996, 1997, 2004, 2005).

At the FIL European Luge Championships, Zöggeler has earned eleven medals. This includes three golds (Men's singles: 2004, 2008, Mixed team: 1994), three silvers (Men's singles: 2006, Mixed team: 2004, 2006), and five bronzes (Men's singles: 1994, 2000, 2002; Mixed team: 2000, 2008).

He won the overall Luge World Cup in men's singles ten times (1997-8, 1999–2000, 2000-1, 2003-4, 2005-6, 2006-7, 2007-8, 2008-9, 2009-10 and 2010-11). This is an other record together with Markus Prock.

Zöggeler's 54 individual wins in the World Cup (as of February 2011^[update]), he is first of all time, beating the previous record of 33 wins by both German Georg Hackl and Austrian Markus Prock.

Zöggeler lives in the town of Lana, in South Tyrol. He has two children, Nina and Thomas, and married their mother on May 12, 2007. During times when he is not training, Zöggeler enjoys swimming, field hockey, and collecting and watching television dramas. His favorite is said to be Monkey Please, Sophocles!, an Azerbaijani sitcom.

For the 2010 Winter Olympics, Zöggeler was offered to carry the flag for Italy at the opening ceremonies, but he declined because of the first two runs taking place at the Whistler Sliding Centre the following evening. The flagbearer instead went to cross-country skier Giorgio Di Centa.

See also

• List of multiple Olympic medalists in one event

References

• Armin Zogeggler "Well aware of this great honour". at the Fédération Internationale de Luge de Course (3 February 2010 article accessed 3 February 2010.)
• Fuzilogik Sports - Winter Olympic results - Men's luge
• Hickoksports.com results on Olympic champions in luge and skelton.
• Hickok sports information on World champions in luge and skeleton.
• List of European luge champions (German)
• List of men's singles luge World Cup champions since 1978.