ITALY: Zoeggeler snatches title in luge becoming the first Italian to win an Olympic gold medal on home soil.

Record ID: 331923

  • Title: ITALY: Zoeggeler snatches title in luge becoming the first Italian to win an Olympic gold medal on home soil.
  • Date: 15th February 2006
  • Summary: CESANA SAN SICARIO, ITALY (FEBRUARY 12, 2006) (REUTERS) WIDE OF EXTERIOR OF LUGE VENUE VARIOUS OF EXTERIOR MOON FIREWORKS AFTER VICTORY OF ITALIAN LUGE ATHLETE HERMAN ZOEGGELER ZOEGGELER STANDING OUTSIDE VENUE (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) ITALIAN LUGE ATHLETE HERMAN ZOEGGELER WITH REPORTER [REPORTER ASKING QUESTION: "What does your win mean to you? You are the first Italian to win a gold medal at home. How do you feel?] "Absolutely, I am very honoured that I got the first gold medal for Italy and it was very difficult for me to get this medal." [REPORTER ASKING QUESTION: "You spoke about the pressure that was placed on you by the media. How did this affect you?] "Yes, the pressure was enormous. I've never experienced such pressure as I experienced here in this race and also participating at home made it very difficult. It must have been one of the most difficult races that I ever done." [REPORTER ASKING QUESTION: "You won the race less than two hours ago. How do you feel right now?] "I feel really good. I still can't believe that I just won my second gold medal, but I am very happy." [REPORTER ASKING QUESTION: "What are you planning to do tonight? Any celebrations?] "I still don't know, but I have to do some interviews and then afterwards I will celebrate a bit." ZOEGGELER SPEAKING TO ITALIAN POLICE OFFICIALS AND GIVING AUTOGRAPHS
  • Embargoed: 2nd March 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Italy
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAAGEDU7S4MZARTYKAR8KGD1CHH
  • Story Text: Armin Zoeggeler handed hosts Italy their first gold medal of the Turin Games by defending his singles luge title on Sunday (February 12).
    The 2002 champion thrilled the home fans by mastering the tricky Cesana track throughout the two-day event to underline his status as the master of the risky sport.
    The 32-year-old with the trademark silver helmet, who had built his victory by clocking the fastest time in each of Saturday's first two runs, managed to stay in control in the final two to end the contest with a combined winning time of three minutes 26.088 seconds.
    "I am very honoured that I got the first gold medal for Italy and it was very difficult for me to get this medal," Zoeggler told Reuters Television.
    Zoeggeler has been hailed a national hero by his fans and has had all eyes on him since the start of the Turin preparation.
    Despite the pressure placed on him by the Italian media, Zoeggeler said he was somehow able to focus his energy on the race and perform at his best.
    "The pressure was enormous. I've never experienced such pressure as I experienced here in this race and also participating at home made it very difficult. It must have been one of the most difficult races that I ever done," he told Reuters Television.
    Zoeggeler said his second victory had not yet fully sunk in.
    "I feel really good. I still can't believe that I just won my second gold medal, but I am very happy," he said.
    Russia's European champion, Albert Demtschenko, claimed the silver medal, 0.110 seconds back, while Martins Rubenis won the bronze, 0.357 second off the pace, to present Latvia with their first ever medal from Winter Olympics.
    Rubenis's feat was met by wild celebrations from an enthusiastic Latvian contingent.
    Triple Olympic champion Georg Hackl of Germany, 39, missed out on a medal in the last competition of his prolific career, finishing seventh after uncharacteristic error-ridden runs.
    The prolific Bavarian, who had never won anything less than silver from his five previous Olympic appearances, retires with his place in the history of the sport secured.
    There was disappointment also for Tony Benshoof, who was hoping to become the first U.S. athlete to win an Olympic medal in individual luge but he had to be content with fourth.
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