Armin Tzoggeler Famous Italian luger, two-time Olympic champion Date of Birth: 04.01.1974 Country: Italy

Biography of Armin Zöggeler

Armin Zöggeler is a renowned Italian luger and two-time Olympic champion. He is highly respected in the Italian sports community and was even considered as the flag bearer for the Italian team at the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Turin. Although the honor ultimately went to figure skater Carolina Kostner, Zöggeler's reputation remained intact. He remained focused on his ultimate goal of winning another gold medal for his country.

Zöggeler has a remarkable track record in the Olympics. At the age of 20, he won a bronze medal in Lillehammer, which was a great achievement for him. He followed it up with a silver medal in Nagano, where the atmosphere was not as celebratory but the victory was still significant. His dream of winning gold came true in Salt Lake City, where he became an Olympic champion.

As he prepares for the Olympics in Turin, Zöggeler is confident in his chances of success. He aims to win another gold medal, especially since the Games will take place in his home country, in front of his supporters. He is determined to give his all and is not interested in anything less than victory.

When it comes to the sport of luge, Zöggeler appreciates challenging tracks that test his skills. He enjoys tracks like Sigulda in Latvia and Königssee in Germany, where his mastery is highlighted. However, there is one track in Igls, Austria that he dislikes. Despite training there frequently, he has never won a race on that track.

Zöggeler's passion for his sport goes beyond monetary gain. While he acknowledges that it is possible to become wealthy as a star luger in Germany, it is not the driving force behind his career. He values victories and the honor of representing his country above all else.

Zöggeler's journey in the world of luge began at a young age. He started competing at the age of seven and by the time he was 14, he had already won almost every possible competition. His idol at the time was Paul Hildgartner, an Italian luge legend who inspired him with his achievements.

Despite being a winter sportsman, Zöggeler has a positive view of the summer Olympics. He finds events like track and field, especially the 100 and 200-meter races, to be fascinating. He prefers individual sports that combine speed, risk, and maximum physical exertion. He sees decathletes as the epitome of ideal athletes, as they excel in multiple disciplines.

Zöggeler has reached speeds of up to 140 kilometers per hour on the track. While some may find this terrifying, he believes that it is important to respect the track rather than fear it. He admits that he was not afraid when he first started competing, possibly because as a child, he did not fully comprehend the potential consequences. Growing up surrounded by snow, he even used sleds to commute to school. This early exposure to the sport contributed to his journey towards winning the coveted Olympic gold.

While luge does involve some level of risk, Zöggeler believes it is no more dangerous than other sports. He points out that there have been very few accidents on luge tracks in recent years.

As for his children, Zöggeler would be enthusiastic if his son chose to follow in his footsteps. However, he has a daughter who may not be interested in weightlifting or pulling sleds that weigh over 20 kilograms. He has already provided her with sleds, but ultimately, he wants her to decide her own path.