Dario Cologna: A cross-country skiing icon says hello

Dario Cologna competed in his last World Cup race on Sunday. The Swiss ended his glorious career with a strong 9th place. Cologna was the most successful Swiss in the history of cross-country skiing. Even though he has no longer been one of the absolute best in the World Cup in recent years (he had to struggle with many injuries and his asthma), his career is still impressive.

Cologna won a total of four individual gold medals at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, 2014 in Sochi and 2018 in Pyeongchang. He also won the Tour de Ski and the overall World Cup four times each. The 35-year-old, who was also crowned skiathlon world champion in Val di Fiemme in 2013, is now calling it quits at 35 years old.

Has won everything in his career: Dario Cologna. © APA/afp / FRANCK FIFE

But it wasn't just his successes that made Cologna popular, his down-to-earth manner also made him a favorite of the masses. His duels on the cross-country ski trail with his long-term Norwegian rival Petter Northug, who had already ended his career in 2018, were legendary. On Sunday, Cologna in Oslo was not only celebrated and warmed by the fans, but also by his cross-country skiing colleagues. Cologna's South Tyrol connection Cologna can now focus more on his private life. After his wedding in the summer of 2020 to his long-time girlfriend Laura, his son Leano was born in September 2021. The Swiss also has a strong connection to South Tyrol. Cologna grew up in Val Müstair, which borders the Vinschgau. That's why many South Tyroleans belong to the legendary "Dario Cologne Fan Club", which often stood on the trails complete with cowbells to cheer on the cross-country skiing star.

A South Tyrolean also impressed at the final race in Cologna. The Brunecker Dietmar Nöckler ended up in a strong 50th place in the 15 km race after a year-long absence from the World Cup. Not only Dario Cologna ended his career in Oslo at the weekend, but also the Norwegian Therese Johaug .

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Dario Cologna: A cross-country skiing icon says hello

On Sunday, the 50 km cross-country skiing race in the classic technique took place at the legendary Holmenkollen. Immediately afterwards, all eyes were on one man.

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