Duff Gibson facts for kids
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| Born | August 11, 1966 (age 59) Vaughan, Ontario, Canada |
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Medal record
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Duff Gibson is a Canadian athlete who became famous for his achievements in skeleton racing. He was born on August 11, 1966, in Vaughan, Ontario. Skeleton is a thrilling winter sport where athletes slide head-first down an icy track on a small sled. Duff competed in this exciting sport from 1999 until 2006.
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Olympic Gold Medalist
Duff Gibson achieved his biggest dream at the 2006 Winter Olympics held in Turin, Italy. He won the gold medal in the men's skeleton event. It was a very close race, and he just barely beat his Canadian teammate, Jeff Pain.
A Record-Breaking Win
When Duff won his gold medal, he was 39 years old. This made him the oldest Canadian to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics. He broke the record previously held by ice hockey player Al MacInnis.
Even more amazing, Duff became the oldest person to win an individual gold medal in the entire history of the Winter Games! This record was held by Norway's Magnar Solberg since 1972. Duff held this special record until 2014. After his incredible win in Turin, Duff Gibson decided to retire from skeleton racing right away.
Other Achievements
Before his gold medal win, Duff also competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. There, he finished in tenth place in the men's skeleton event.
World Championship Success
Duff Gibson also showed his talent at the FIBT World Championships. These are major competitions for bobsleigh and skeleton athletes. He won two medals at these championships:
- A gold medal in 2004.
- A bronze medal in 2005.
His best overall performance in the Skeleton World Cup series was in the 2003–2004 season, where he finished second in the men's event.
Helping Others
After his racing career, Duff Gibson continued to make a positive impact. In October 2009, he teamed up with the Stephen Lewis Foundation. This foundation works to help families affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.
A Dare to Remember
As part of the foundation's "A Dare to Remember" campaign, Duff took on a special challenge. He carried a 20-litre jug of water for about 12 kilometers (about 7.5 miles) through Calgary. He walked from Canada Olympic Park all the way to his son's school. This act helped raise money and awareness for the important work the foundation does.
See also
In Spanish: Duff Gibson para niños
