Eugenio Monti

Eugenio monti

Italian bobsledder

Eugenio Monti

Eugenio Monti (January 23, 1930 – December 1, 2003) was an Italian bobsledder who competed from the late 1950s to the late 1960s. He is considered one of the greatest bobsledders of all time.

Early Life

Monti was born in Dobbiaco, a town in the South Tyrol region of Italy. He initially pursued a career in alpine skiing before switching to bobsleigh.

Bobsleigh Career

Monti's bobsleigh career began in the late 1950s. He quickly rose to prominence in the sport, known for his technical skill and sportsmanship. Monti competed in both the two-man and four-man events.

Olympic Games

Monti competed in three Winter Olympic Games: 1964, 1968, and 1972. He won a total of six medals: two golds, two silvers, and two bronzes. His gold medals came in the two-man and four-man events at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France.

World Championships

Monti also had a successful career at the FIBT World Championships, winning ten medals, including nine golds and one silver. His dominance in the sport earned him the nickname "The Flying Redhead."

Sportsmanship

Monti is perhaps best known for his act of sportsmanship during the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. When the British bobsleigh team encountered mechanical problems, Monti lent them a crucial axle bolt, allowing them to compete and eventually win the gold medal. For this act, Monti was awarded the Pierre de Coubertin medal for sportsmanship.

Personal Life

Monti retired from bobsleigh in the early 1970s and later worked as a bobsleigh coach. He passed away on December 1, 2003, in Belluno, Italy.

Legacy

Eugenio Monti is remembered as one of the greatest bobsledders in history and a paragon of sportsmanship. His contributions to the sport have left a lasting legacy.

See Also

• Bobsleigh at the Winter Olympics
• List of multiple Winter Olympic medalists