Erin Hamlin facts for kids
Hamlin in February 2017
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| Born | November 19, 1986 (age 38) New Hartford, New York, United States |
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| Height | 5 ft 7 in | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 161 lbs. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Sport | Luge | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Erin Mullady Hamlin, born on November 19, 1986, is an amazing American luge athlete. She is famous for being the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in luge. She was also the first American, male or female, to win a medal in a singles luge race. This big moment happened at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where she won a bronze medal. People called it one of the greatest moments in USA Luge history! Erin competed in four Olympic Games during her career.
Contents
Erin's Luge Journey
Starting Young
Erin Hamlin became interested in luge when she was 12 years old. She attended a special U.S. Luge camp in Syracuse, New York. By the time she was 17, Erin had already won a gold medal. This was at the Junior National Luge Championship in Lake Placid, New York. She finished first in the women's singles race.
Early Success
In 2004, Erin won ten medals in just five years of racing. She competed in Junior World Cups in Germany and Austria. She also took part in the Junior World Championships. Erin placed seventh in the 2004 Junior World Cups. This made her a U.S. junior national luge champion. She traveled the world as part of the U.S. Junior National Team.
Olympic Dreams
Erin represented the United States at the Olympic Games multiple times.
- In 2006, she competed in Torino, Italy.
- In 2010, she was in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Many thought she would win a medal in 2010. She had a great season leading up to those Games. However, she finished 16th in the women's singles race.
Making History
In 2009, Erin Hamlin won first place at the FIL World Luge Championships. This event was held in Lake Placid, New York. This was a huge win because it was the first time in 99 races that a German woman did not finish first. It also made Erin the first American to ever win a world championship in luge!
Then, in 2014, Erin earned her bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. This was the historic moment that made her the first American woman to medal in luge.
More Achievements
Erin continued to achieve great things in luge:
- In 2017, she won a silver medal at the World Championships.
- She also became the 2017 World Champion in the sprint event.
- She earned another silver medal in 2017 as part of the mixed team relay.
- Throughout her career, she had 4 World Cup victories.
- She also won 23 World Cup medals in total.
Final Olympics
Erin competed in her fourth and final Winter Olympics in 2018. These Games were held in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Erin had the special honor of being the U.S. Flag Bearer. She led the American team during the Opening Ceremony on February 9.
Life Outside Luge
Erin Hamlin grew up in Remsen, New York. She also lives in Lake Placid, New York. Her parents, Eileen and Ronald Hamlin, live in Remsen. Erin went to Remsen Junior-Senior High School. She was a talented athlete there, playing both soccer and track. She graduated in 2004.
In 2009, Erin became a spokesperson for the National Headache Foundation. This was because she experienced migraine headaches herself.
Erin retired from luge after the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. She said she was officially done with competing.
