Erik Schinegger

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Erik Schinegger

Erik Schinegger (born June 19, 1948) is an Austrian former alpine skier. Schinegger gained international attention in the 1960s due to a controversial incident regarding his gender identity.

Early Life and Career

Schinegger was born in Aggsbach, Austria. He began his skiing career at a young age and quickly showed promise as a talented skier. In 1966, Schinegger won the gold medal in the women's downhill event at the World Championships in Portillo, Chile.

Gender Controversy

In 1967, Schinegger underwent a mandatory gender verification test as part of the competition requirements. The results revealed that Schinegger, who had been competing as a woman, was biologically male. This revelation sparked a significant controversy in the skiing world and raised questions about gender identity in sports.

Later Life

Following the gender controversy, Schinegger underwent gender confirmation surgery and began living as a man. He continued to ski competitively as a male athlete, although his career was overshadowed by the earlier controversy.

Legacy

Erik Schinegger's story remains a significant chapter in the history of gender identity in sports. His experience has prompted discussions about the complexities of gender verification in athletic competitions and the importance of inclusivity in sports.