Georg Hackl

Hackl had a chance to make history at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City—to become the first winter Olympian ever to win gold in the same event at four consecutive Olympiads. Six weeks before the games, Hackl's father watched him win a Super-Cup race in Germany, gave his son a congratulatory hug and, a few minutes later, suffered a heart attack. He died in the ambulance that came to his aid. Hackl would carry his grief to Salt Lake City, where Italy's Armin Zoeggeller prevented him from claiming his fourth Olympic gold medal. Hackl demonstrated grace despite his disappointment. Still in the finishing zone when Zoeggeller completed his winning run, Hackl spontaneously led the applause for his rival. Afterward, he told reporters: "This second place is where I belong. Armin is the right champion." When someone asked Hackl whether he was dedicating his medal to anyone, however, he thought of his father and broke down and sobbed. "I want to dedicate it to my father," he said haltingly. "Who died. A few weeks ago."

With Hackl's second-place finish behind Zoeggeller, he became the first athlete to win a medal in five consecutive Winter Olympics. He is more than the most successful luger in history, however. He is an endearing man and a fan favorite who brought unprecedented attention to his sport. "Georg has made us …more famous in Europe," Adam Heidt, a luger from Long Island, told the New York Times, "and hopefully a little more famous now in America."

After the 2002 Olympic Games, Hackl returned to the World Cup circuit. He said he would compete for at least another year, but was uncertain whether he would still be in the game in 2006, his next opportunity to extend his Olympic streak. "I feel great to have this awesome career, especially in the Olympic Games," Hackl was quoted in the New York Times, "and maybe I am very lucky because you also need to have good luck to win medals."