Apolda (RWH) On 14 November 2022, two-time bobsleigh Olympic Champion Wolfgang Hoppe of Germany celebrates his 65th birthday. The former decathlete won gold in the 2-man and 4-man bobsleigh in Sarajevo in 1984, plus four more Olympic medals (silver in 1988 in the 2-man and 4-man bobsleigh, as well as in 1992 in the 4-man bobsleigh, bronze in 1994 in the 4-man bobsleigh).
In addition to the Olympic medals, he won six World Championship titles (in 4-man bob in 1991, 1995 and 1997, in 2-man bob in 1985, 1986 and 1989). At the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville (FRA), "Hopfried" – as friends call him – carried the flag of the reunited German Olympic team at the opening ceremony.
After his career as a bobsleigh pilot, Hoppe worked as a coach for the Bobsleigh and Sledge Association for Germany (BSD). His pilot Sandra Kiriasis won Olympic gold in Turin in the 2-woman bobsleigh with push athlete Anja Schneiderheinze. Later, Hoppe was also responsible for coaching the German Parabob team. Hoppe lives in Apolda (Thuringia), has two children and five grandchildren.
Photos: BSD, privat
