Italy made their winter Olympics debut at Chamonix 1924, and has sent athletes to every winter games ever since. The Italian contingent won 106 medals in the winter Olympics including 37 gold medals.
When it comes to Italy in the winter Olympics, the one name most synonymous with these games is the performance of Alberto Tomba, who won three gold medals in these winter games. He won two in the giant slalom at Calgary 1988 and Albertville 1992, and in the slalom at Calgary 1988. He along with Deborah Compagnoni are the only three time winter Olympic gold medalists for Italy. Compagnoni won three gold medals herself, and just like Tomba, she did it on the hills as well. Her first gold was in the super G at Albertville 1992, and followed it up with two giant slalom gold wins at Lillehammer 1994 and Nagano 1998.
Eight Italians have won two gold medals each in the winter Olympics. One of the most recent is speed skater Enrico Fabris (pictured), who won twice--in the 1500m and as a member of the 8 lap team pursuit--at Turin 2006. He joins seven others in achieving that feat:
- Luciano de Paolis, bobsleigh, men, two and four member, Grenoble 1968
- Eugenio Monti, bobsleigh, men, two and four member, Grenoble 1968
- Paul Hildgartner, luge, men, mixed singles, Sapporo 1972 & men's singles, Sarajevo 1984
- Stefania Belmondo, cross country, women, 30km, Albertville 1992 & 15km, Salt Lake City 2002
- Manuela di Lenta, cross country, women, 15km & 30km, Lillehammer 1994
- Armin Zoggeler, luge, men, singles, Salt Lake City 2002 & Turin 2006
- Giorgio di Centa, cross country, men, 30km & 4x10km relay team member, Turin 2006
Italy was the host country for two winter Olympics games: the first at Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956 and the most recent at Turin 2006.
Up next: Jamaica
No comments:
Post a Comment