Sochi 2014: ‘Cannibal’ Armin Zoeggeler says record sixth podium tough ask
Sochi 2014: Italy's Armin Zoeggeler says a record sixth luge medal will be extremely difficult
Italian luger Armin Zoeggeler admits that he faces a tough task in seeking a record sixth Winter Olympic Games medal.
Nicknamed “The Cannibal” for the devouring of his fellow competitors over the last 20 years, the 40-year-old won Olympic Gold in 2002 and 2006, silver in 1998 and bronze in 1994 and 2010.
Zoeggeler finished third after the first two runs of qualifying, 0.744 seconds behind defending Olympic champion Felix Loch of Germany, and is hopeful of one more podium finish on the elite stage.
Even after all the wins I’ve racked up, one thing has remained unchanged since my earliest childhood: the intoxicating joy of standing on the highest platform of the winners’ podium
Armin Zoeggeler
“Winning another medal will be very difficult,” he said. “The Germans, Canadians and Russians are very fast and very young so it’s going to be really difficult for me.”
The Carabiniere police offer is one of the eldest competitors in the competition and told reporters the secret to his success.
“It’s good food, good training, enough sleep. Every day is a good life,” he added.
“Even after all the wins I’ve racked up, one thing has remained unchanged since my earliest childhood: the intoxicating joy of standing on the highest platform of the winners’ podium,” he wrote on his website (www.arminzoeggeler.it).
Zoeggeler is joined in the Sochi games by his niece Sandra Robatscher who makes her Olympic debut with the Italy women’s luge team.
The 18-year-old finished 17th in the Women’s Luge World Cup earlier this year and insists that the Sochi games will be good experience for her development.
“It’s a great honour for me to be with him at the same Games,” she said.
“He is giving me lots of tips but at the end of the day, I have to perform and achieve by myself.”
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