Nevio De Zordo comes from a family of “gelatieri” (ice cream makers). In 1959 they moved to Cologne, Germany, and the family managed an ice cream parlor in Cologne-Sülz for 40 years. The winter spent the family at their native Italian home in the Dolomites, so that De Zordo could train on the bob track in Cortina d’Ampezzo. In 1969 he became World Champion in the two-man and in 1970 in the four-man bobsled. In addition, he was twice silver medalist at World Championships, in 1967 in the two-man and in 1965 in the four-man bob. De Zordo also was 1964 European Champion in the two-man bobsled. After he missed the 1968 Winter Olympics due to an injury, his only Olympic medal came at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo in the four-man bob. He was a pilot in all his international appearances, ending his active career after a disappointing performance at the 1976 Winter Olympics. At home he never won an Italian title, but between 1963 and 1970 placed second six times (three each in the two-man and four man-bob) and third twice, both times in the four-man bob. He later ran a cafe on the premises of Cologne University.
Italy