Grenoble, Chamrousse, 13 February 1968: Marielle GOITSCHEL of France, 1st, in action in the alpine skiing slalom during the X Olympic Winter Games. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum CollectionsBorn: 28 September 1945
Birthplace: Sainte Maxime (France)
Nationality: France
Sport: Skiing
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Innsbruck 1964
Grenoble 1968
AWARDS
Olympic medals:
Gold: 2
Silver: 1
Other results:
World Championships
Gold: 4 (62, 66)
Silver: 2 (62, 66)
Conquering the Gates and Tricking the Press
On 1 February 1964, 18-year-old Marielle Goitschel finished second in the Olympic slalom. The only woman to beat her was her older sister, Christine. Two days later, Marielle won the gold medal in the giant slalom, while Christine tied for second place. After their victory, Marielle announced to the press that she had just become engaged to a soon-to-be-famous skier named John-Claude Killy. The happy news spread around the world. Then it was discovered that the story was really a practical joke that the Goitschel sisters had invented the night before - fully confident that one of them would win the gold medal. Marielle returned to the Olympics in 1968 and won another gold medal, this time in the slalom race.
