Long-time companion Felix Loch honored Olympic luge champion Natalie Geisenberger as a legend after her retirement from professional sport. “Natalie, you are the greatest! Thank you for so many great moments together and especially for your friendship! What a career – unbelievable,” wrote Loch on Instagram.
The six-time Olympic champion announced the end of her illustrious career on Sunday evening. With her six Olympic gold medals and another bronze medal, the 35-year-old is the most successful German Winter Olympian in history. Among other things, nine World Cup titles, eight triumphs in the overall World Cup and 52 World Cup victories complete the impressive collection of titles of the federal police officer from Miesbach.
“I’ll miss you! Legend!”, Loch continued: “Enjoy the time afterwards and at some point get going again. Go down the toboggan run at Königssee together again!” Loch and Geisenberger are close friends and trained in the same group.
After the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, where she triumphed in both the single-seater and the team relay in her comeback season after the birth of her son Leo, Geisenberger wanted to continue her career and take part in the 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina d’ Ampezzo left open. She justified her resignation primarily with her family.
“I don’t just want to stop when it’s most beautiful, above all I want to stay WHERE it’s most beautiful. At home with my family!” wrote Geisenberger, who gave birth to her second child with daughter Lina in January this year had suspended the last season: “What remains is infinite gratitude, pride, memories for eternity, many great people and a time that I will never forget.”
The world association FIL looked back with “deep gratitude and respect” on the “impressive career of this extraordinary athlete. Natalie Geisenberger has shaped international tobogganing at the highest level for years and thrilled the sporting world with her incredible achievements,” said FIL President Einars Fogelis : “She is a true role model athlete and an inspiration for young athletes worldwide. Her commitment to fair play, team spirit and love of sport has made her a true ambassador for luge.”