Skeleton, Men

Canadian sliders had dominated the sport since the last Olympics, and they came close to a clean sweep of the medals at Cesana Pariol. Jeff Pain had won the 2003 and 2005 World Championships, with Duff Gibson winning the 2004 title. In addition, Pain had won the 2004/2005 World Cup, and he would also win that award in the Olympic season. Among the top challengers for the Canadians was 37-year-old Gregor Stähli of Switzerland, a bronze medallist in Salt Lake and World Champion in 1994 (and again in 2007). Stähli was back in 5th after the first run, but like in 2002, he moved ahead in the second, and took a second bronze. He wasn’t the oldest man on the podium. Duff Gibson – who won both heats – was 39, and he became the oldest individual gold medal winner at the Winter Games. He had long dreamed of competing in the Winter Olympics, trying out as a speed skater and a bobsledder before finding success in the skeleton. His compatriot Pain, who took silver, was also well in his thirties, making for one of the “oldest” podiums in Winter Olympic history.