Andrus Veerpalu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andrus Veerpalu
Andrus Veerpalu in 2013
Country	Estonia
Born	(1971-02-08) 8 February 1971 (age 54) Pärnu, Estonia
Height	1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Ski club	Jõulu
World Cup career
Seasons	19 – (1992–2006, 2008–2011)
Individual wins	6
Indiv. podiums	11
Team podiums	0
Indiv. starts	141
Team starts	28
Overall titles	0 – (7th in 2003, 2004)
Discipline titles	0
Medal record Men's cross-country skiing Representing Estonia Olympic Games Gold 2002 Salt Lake City 15 km classical Gold 2006 Turin 15 km classical Silver 2002 Salt Lake City 50 km classical World Championships Gold 2001 Lahti 30 km classical Gold 2009 Liberec 15 km classical Silver 1999 Ramsau 50 km classical

Andrus Veerpalu (born 8 February 1971) is a retired Estonian cross-country skier. He is Estonia's most successful athlete at the Winter Olympics. He won gold medals in the men's 15 km classical race in 2002 and 2006. He also won a silver medal in the men's 50 km classical race in 2002.

Andrus Veerpalu's Skiing Journey

Andrus Veerpalu achieved great success in cross-country skiing. On 17 February 2006, he won his second Olympic gold medal. This made him the fourth Estonian to win two Olympic gold medals. He is the most successful Olympic athlete from Estonia with three medals. Another Estonian skier, Kristina Šmigun-Vähi, later tied this record in 2010.

World Championship Wins

Veerpalu also did very well at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. He won a gold medal in the 15 km race in 2009 in Liberec. He also won gold in the 30 km race in 2001 in Lahti. In 1999, he earned a silver medal in the 50 km race in Ramsau. He also won the 50 km event at the famous Holmenkollen ski festival in 2003 and 2005.

Oldest World Champion Skier

Andrus Veerpalu became the oldest world champion in cross-country skiing history. He won the 15 km classical event at the Liberec 2009 championships. He was 38 years old at the time. This also made him the oldest Olympic champion in an individual distance race.

Holmenkollen Medal and Olympic Appearances

In 2005, Veerpalu received the Holmenkollen medal. He was the first Estonian athlete to earn this special award. This medal is given to skiers who have achieved great success in Nordic skiing.

Veerpalu is one of only four athletes to compete in cross-country skiing at six Winter Olympics. This shows how long and successful his career was.

Retirement from Skiing

On 23 February 2011, Andrus Veerpalu announced he was ending his professional skiing career. He made this decision because of a long-term knee injury.

Doping Case Acquittal: What Happened?

After Veerpalu retired, it was announced that he had tested positive for HGH (human growth hormone). However, he said he was innocent. Estonian biochemistry doctors explained that the test results were not clear. They said there was no reliable way to tell the difference between natural HGH and artificial HGH.

Veerpalu challenged the test result. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later cleared him on 25 March 2013. They lifted his ban and ordered the International Ski Federation (FIS) to pay some of his court costs. The court found that the test method used was not reliable enough to prove doping.

Cross-country Skiing Achievements

Andrus Veerpalu earned several medals during his career.

Olympic Games Medals

• 3 medals – (2 gold, 1 silver)

World Championships Medals

• 3 medals – (2 gold, 1 silver)

World Cup Podiums

Andrus Veerpalu had 6 victories and 11 podium finishes in the World Cup.

• 6 victories – (6 World Cup)
• 11 podiums – (11 World Cup)

Personal Life

Andrus Veerpalu is married to Angela Veerpalu. They have five children together.

See also

In Spanish: Andrus Veerpalu para niños

• List of athletes with the most appearances at Olympic Games