The Few and the Elite: Athletes Who Have Conquered Both the Summer and Winter Olympics
Only a select few individuals throughout history have achieved the remarkable feat of standing on the podium at both the Summer and Winter Olympics. Among them are three extraordinary Americans, each with a unique story of perseverance and triumph.
As of July 2021, approximately 128 athletes have had the distinguished honor of competing in both the Summer and Winter Games, according to Olympics.com. Of those, only six have managed to claim medals at both types of Games, with a seventh technically achieving the feat within the same sport.
Eddie Eagan (USA – Boxing and Bobsled)
American Eddie Eagan secured a gold medal in boxing at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp. Surprisingly, just weeks before the 1932 Winter Olympics, he was invited to join the U.S. four-man bobsleigh team. Eagan and his team captured the gold, making him the first and only person in Olympic history to achieve such a dual victory in different sports at the Summer and Winter Games.
Jacob Thams (Norway – Ski Jump and Yachting)
Jacob Thams made history as the inaugural Olympic ski jump champion at the first Winter Games. He continued his success by winning a silver medal as part of the Norwegian crew in the 8 meter yachting event at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Christa Luding-Rothenburger (Germany, German Democratic Republic – Speed Skating and Cycling)
Christa Luding-Rothenburger remains an unmatched figure in Olympic history, uniquely claiming medals in both the Winter and Summer Games within the same year. Her remarkable journey began with a gold in speed skating at the Sarajevo 1984 Games, followed by additional speed skating medals in Calgary. Just seven months later, she clinched a silver medal in cycling at the Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics, adding another speed skating medal in 1992.
Clara Hughes (Canada – Cycling and Speed Skating)
Canadian Clara Hughes stands as the fourth athlete ever to attain medals in both the Winter and Summer Olympics. She secured bronze in cycling at the 1996 Atlanta Games before transitioning to speed skating, where she excelled by winning gold and silver in Turin and Vancouver, respectively.
Lauryn Williams (USA – Track and Field and Bobsled)
Lauryn Williams made history as the first American female athlete to medal at both the Summer and Winter Olympics. After winning silver in the 100-meter dash at Athens 2004 and gold in the 4×100 meter relay at London 2012, she pivoted to bobsled, earning a silver in Sochi 2014.
Eddy Alvarez (USA – Speed Skating and Baseball)
American Eddy Alvarez embodies the most recent addition to this prestigious list of dual-sport Olympians. Winning silver in the 5,000-meter relay at the Sochi Winter Olympics, Alvarez continued his success at the Tokyo Summer Olympics, clinching a silver while playing on the U.S. men’s baseball team.
Gillis Grafstrom (Sweden – Figure Skating)
Gillis Grafstrom is celebrated as the figure skater with the most Olympic medals in history. He achieved the rare honor of winning gold at both the Summer and Winter Olympics, showcasing his prowess in figure skating at various Games throughout the early 20th century.
These extraordinary individuals have left an indelible mark on Olympic history, showcasing their versatility, skill, and determination across multiple disciplines and seasons. Their stories serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of athletic excellence and the boundless possibilities of human potential.
