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History was made on Sunday at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo. In an amazing men’s parallel giant slalom snowboarding competition, Benjamin Karl of Saint Polten, Austria made Olympic history by becoming the oldest Winter Olympian of all-time to win a gold medal in an individual event.
Karl struck gold for the second straight Olympic Winter Games. This time, he was 40 years and 115 days old. He beat silver medalist Sang-kyum Kim of South Korea by 0.19 seconds in the Big Final.
Who was the previous oldest Olympic gold medalist in an individual event?
According to Liam Nee of NBC Olympics, cross country skier Ole Einar Bjorndalen of Drammen, Norway had the previous record. He was 40 years and 12 days old when he won gold in the men’s 10 kilometre biathlon sprint at the 2014 Olympic Winter Gamed in Sochi. It was a remarkable career for Bjorndalen as he won eight gold medals and 14 medals overall through five Olympic Winter Games.
Karl celebrates without a shirt
In his celebration, Karl removed the clothing above his waist in an historic Olympic image.
Karl’s international success
Karl has won four Olympic medals overall. He initially won gold medals in the men’s parallel giant slalom at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, and a silver medal in men’s parallel slalom at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. This was the only time ever that parallel slalom snowboarding took place at the Olympic Winter Games.
Three Olympic records
In addition to Karl’s historic achievement, there have been three Olympic records set in speed skating to date. Francesca Lollobrigida of Italy won gold in the women’s 3000m on Saturday. She had a winning time of 3:54.28. On Sunday, Sander Eitrem of Norway made Olympic history with a time of 6:03.95 in the men’s 5000 metres. Then on Monday, Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands had an Olympic record time of 1:12.31. North American sports fans may know Leerdam best as Jake Paul’s girlfriend.
The post 2026 Winter Olympics: Benjamin Karl becomes oldest Winter Olympic individual gold medalist appeared first on The Big Lead.
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Karl struck gold for the second straight Olympic Winter Games. This time, he was 40 years and 115 days old. He beat silver medalist Sang-kyum Kim of South Korea by 0.19 seconds in the Big Final.
Who was the previous oldest Olympic gold medalist in an individual event?
According to Liam Nee of NBC Olympics, cross country skier Ole Einar Bjorndalen of Drammen, Norway had the previous record. He was 40 years and 12 days old when he won gold in the men’s 10 kilometre biathlon sprint at the 2014 Olympic Winter Gamed in Sochi. It was a remarkable career for Bjorndalen as he won eight gold medals and 14 medals overall through five Olympic Winter Games.
Karl celebrates without a shirt
In his celebration, Karl removed the clothing above his waist in an historic Olympic image.
Karl’s international success
Karl has won four Olympic medals overall. He initially won gold medals in the men’s parallel giant slalom at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, and a silver medal in men’s parallel slalom at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. This was the only time ever that parallel slalom snowboarding took place at the Olympic Winter Games.
Three Olympic records
In addition to Karl’s historic achievement, there have been three Olympic records set in speed skating to date. Francesca Lollobrigida of Italy won gold in the women’s 3000m on Saturday. She had a winning time of 3:54.28. On Sunday, Sander Eitrem of Norway made Olympic history with a time of 6:03.95 in the men’s 5000 metres. Then on Monday, Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands had an Olympic record time of 1:12.31. North American sports fans may know Leerdam best as Jake Paul’s girlfriend.
The post 2026 Winter Olympics: Benjamin Karl becomes oldest Winter Olympic individual gold medalist appeared first on The Big Lead.
Continue reading...
