Jean-Pierre Egger

Swiss sportsman and coach Jean-Pierre Egger began his career as a basketball player before becoming a decathlete and finally specialising in both the shot put and discus. In the shot Egger became a nine-time national champion, in addition to winning a further three titles in the discus. He competed in the shot put at the Olympics in 1976 and 1980, finishing 19th and 12th, respectively.

Following his athletics career Egger became a world-renowned coach, working with several champions including New Zealand athlete Valerie Adams, who won gold at the Olympics in 2008 and 2012. He also coached Swiss native Werner Günthör and the Swiss sailing team that won two America’s Cups. Egger then worked with the Olympique de Marseille football club, the French basketball team that won silver at the 2000 Sydney Games, and the Swiss ski jumper Simon Ammann, who won four Olympic gold medals. In 2020 Egger won the prize for the best Swiss coach of the last 70 years at the Swiss Sports Awards.

Personal Best: SP – 20.25 (1979).