Chris Thorpe
2002 Olympic Bronze Medalist
1998 Olympic Silver Medalist
There are very few athletes in history who
can match the credentials, or longevity of slider Chris Thorpe. Now
a veteran of the last four Olympics Games ('02, '98, '94, '92) Chris' trophy
case includes both an Olympic Bronze Medal and an Olympic Silver Medal,
not to mention a host of World Cup and National Championship hardware gathered
over his seventeen year career. In all, Chris has won thirty-one international
sliding medals - the most ever by an American. He's also the first
American ever to win the World Cup Championship and by the way, his '98
Olympic Silver Medal was the first American Olympic Medal ever in the sport
of luge! Chris' list of accomplishments goes on and on, and is full of
firsts, bests, and fastests...but the one trophy that has eluded him thus
far has been Olympic Gold. That's what motivates him to go on.
"My first love is of the sports itself, the speed, the
precision, really the challenge of competing in the most precisely timed
sport in the world (luge is timed to .001 seconds). If it weren't
for the passion I feel to compete, regardless of the medals, I would have
long since retired. I'm just as hungry to win now as I've ever been,
in fact ever more so, because now I know I can win gold."
Born
in Illinois, Chris' family relocatd to Michigan when he was very young
and it was there that he entered the sport of luge on natural ice tracks.
Quickly showing potential, he was recruited to join the US Luge program
in Lake Placid, New York. Seventeen years and two trips to the Olympic
Medals podium later, Chris has become one of the sports "best-ever" and
has one eye firmly fixed on a fifth trip to the Olympics in 2006.
The other eye is now firmly fixed on his new born daughter Skylar (born
March 13, 2002). Chris and his family now reside in Gainesville,
Florida.
Athletic Acomplishments
-
2002 Olympics Bronze Medalist with teammate Clay Ives
-
1998 Olympic Silver Medalist with teammate Gordy Sheer - First
ever U.S. Olympic Medal in Luge
-
Only American in history to medal at the Olympic Games with two different
teammates
-
Four time Olympian: 1992, 1994, 1998, 2002
-
31 International
Medals - US All-time record
-
Track Record Holder & Start Record Holder - Park City, UT
-
Finished ninth in 2000-01 World Cup standings
-
Silver medalist at 2001-2002 Luge World Cup finale with partner Clay
Ives
-
1996-1997 World Cup Overall Champion. First
ever win by a non-European sled
-
Finished 5th in 1994 Olympics. Lillehammer, Norway.
-
Finished 12th in 1992 Olympics. Albertville, France
-
World Championship silver medals; 1995, 1996
-
1994-1995: 10 medals in 11 events. U.S.
Record
-
Set Olympic track record at Nagano, Japan Olympic Games
-
6 time U.S. National Champion, 1992-95, 1997, 2000
-
4 time “Athlete of the Year” U.S. Luge Association/ U.S. Olympic Committee
Personal Info:
-
Date of Birth: 10/29/70
-
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 190 lbs.
-
Born: Waukegan, IL
-
Raised: Marquette, MI
-
Currently Resides: Gainseville, Florida
-
Hobbies: Mountain biking, surfing, golf, guitar, snowboarding, fishing,
auto racing (licensed to race formula Dodge and legends cars)
When
he's not sliding...
Public Speaking and Promotional
Appearances
Chris has performed public speaking engagements/personal appearances
for; Verizon, Kodak, Xerox, Samsung, York International, Delta Airlines,
Coca-Cola, General Motors, John Hancock, Jet-Set Sports, All Star
Café, Visa, Panasonic, Delta Airlines, US Olympic Committee and
Frito-Lay.
Verizon “Win at School” Program
Chris is a motivational speaker at school assemblies about his Olympic
experiences, the importance and results of goal setting, dedication and
staying in school.
What's
New with Chris Thorpe:
Email Chris at:
oglethorpe02@yahoo.com
send email: Qsports@yahoo.com
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Sports International
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