16. February 2024
Wolfgang Hoppe, a native of Apolda, a two-time Olympic bobsleigh champion and multiple medal winner, will make the symbolic first move at Mitropacup on February 19.
Axel Eger looks back on his life's work:
In mid-March 1998, Wolfgang Hoppe, born in Apolda, Thuringia, ended his career as the most successful bobsledder of all time: His 33 international medals include 14 gold, 12 silver and seven bronze, six Olympic medals, including two gold and three silver, and eight World Championship titles. "I consider Wolfgang to be the greatest pilot of all time" (FAZ, 16.3.1998), confirmed the then Prince Albert von Monaco, a colleague of the bobsledder. At the end of 1999, he was voted "German Bobsleigh Athlete of the Century" by kicker. He found fulfillment in bobsleigh, Hoppe said, and and thats why he remained loyal to the sport. For a time he was vice-president of the international federation FIBT and in the German federation BSD he acted as national coach, most recently for the women's team. In the former GDR sports system, Hoppe was a model athlete, but he also coped well with the political situation after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Married to Steffi since 1976
Children: Mandy and Philipp
Grandchildren: Marvin, Leila, Mailo, Liam and Levin
Don't chase success, have fun exercising and success will follow. Medals and championships are not always the measure, a healthy and fit body weighs more.
I have been connected to Oberhof for over 40 years of my life, it is a second home.
// Archiv: Mitropacup 2024 englisch // ID 11289